Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a house often make your life much easier, but if you use them the wrong way, they might pose evident health risks. It is important to maintain your appliances and make sure they don’t become dangers by following these helpful home appliance safety recommendations from Noble Norfolk Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this post help prevent fires and injuries due to broken household appliances. That being said, hazards could still happen. In the event a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, hire a local appliance repair Norfolk.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in a Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and water don’t go together, therefore electrical cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power are detected.

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

Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas

Some appliances are specifically designed for outdoor areas, like gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Option

Extension cords can pose several potential risks, this includes:

The likelihood of a loose connection that might lead to sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that would ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, make sure it’s the right gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the wire. For instance, a extension cord for a lamp may have a 16-gauge cord where a bigger cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is lost on the way, something called voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for electric tools and outdoor equipment.

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

It’s simple to assume that you know how to use a new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is necessary for several reasons:

You will find out whether your house’s wiring is enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.

You learn about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You learn if the appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.

You don’t have the extreme stress that can come from attempting to use a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used

You can reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED lights, timers and other energy-consuming features standby mode.

Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it is worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.

For more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact Noble Norfolk Appliance Repair. We can repair all major home appliances!

OTHER RESOURCES:

Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts