The appliances in a house can make life less stressful, but if you use them unsafely, they could pose evident risks. You will want to care for your appliances and make sure they won’t turn into dangers by adhering to these appliance safety suggestions from A+ Aurora Appliance Repair.
The tips below help prevent fires and injuries related to broken household appliances. Even still, hazards could still occur. If an appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a appliance repair Aurora.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in a Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to moisture or water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture don’t go together, that means electrical cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power arise.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Aurora. Once that is done, for safety measures, heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that a home appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
A lot of home appliances are specifically designed for outdoor use, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – monitor that all outlets and cords are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses a lot of noticeable risks, including:
The chance for loose connections that could create sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that can break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that may result in electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure it’s the appropriate gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For instance, a basic electrical extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge cord while a bigger cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is lost on the way, this is called voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and outdoor equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It is easy to guess that you know how to operate a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but reading the guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:
You will want to find out whether your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may have to install a better circuit to stop overloading any current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You learn if the new appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You avoid the stress that can sometimes come from attempting to run a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You can limit unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, timers and other energy-draining features standby mode.
Unplug TVs, monitors, routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.
For extra tips on using home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact A+ Aurora Appliance Repair. We can repair all major home appliances!
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