Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a house can make your life easier, but if you operate them the wrong way, they could produce significant risks. It is best to protect appliances and make sure they will not turn into hazards by following these household appliance safety tips from Frontier Appliance Repair.

The tips below help prevent fires and injuries related to broken household appliances. That being said, hazards can still happen. If a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a danger, reach out to a professional appliance repair service in El Paso.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to moisture or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and water do not mix, therefore power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This special type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity are detected.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets in wet rooms around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician. Then, for further safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not meant for outdoor use.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas

A lot of home appliances are specially built for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – monitor that all outlets and plugs are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Solution

Extension cords can pose several potential risks, this includes:

The likelihood of loose connections that could lead to sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that may break the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The likelihood of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for short-term use, make sure it’s the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For instance, a extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge wire whereas a big cord for a air conditioner unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more power is used up on the way, a phenomenon called voltage drop. Short extension cords are good for power tools and outdoor equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It’s obvious to assume that you know how to use a new home appliance without reading the manual, but reading the instructions is necessary for many reasons:

You will want to find out if your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading any current ones.

You learn more about complicated features you might not otherwise have known about.

You discover if the appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.

You don’t have the frustration that can come from trying to use a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You are able to stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, timers and other features while in standby times.

Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.

For extra tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Frontier Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all common home appliances!

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