The appliances in your house often make your life much less stressful, but if you use household appliances incorrectly, they might produce significant health risks. You should maintain appliances and make sure they will not turn into dangers by adhering to these appliance safety suggestions from PTX Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article will help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken appliances. Even still, hazards can still occur. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, hire a appliance repair Pasadena.
Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t go together, that means electrical cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity are detected.
If you do not currently have GFCI outlets in damp areas around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Pasadena. Once that is done, for further safety measures, heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that a household appliance is not for outdoor use.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Wet Areas
Some home appliances are specifically built for the outdoors, like barbecue grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all outlets and plugs are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution
Extension cords pose several risks, including:
The chance for a loose connection that can create sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that might break the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that may result in electrocution.
The probability of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, be sure it’s the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the cord size. For example, a basic extension cord for a garden tool may have a 16-gauge wire while a heavy-duty cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more power is lost enroute, something known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but reading the instructions is important for several reasons:
You will find out whether your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may have to install a better circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about features you might not otherwise known.
You understand whether the appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a new home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances often include LED indicators, clocks and other features while in standby mode.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.
For additional tips on using home appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair service, please contact PTX Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all major household appliances!
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