Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a home often make your life much easier, but if you operate household appliances unsafely, they might produce noticeable risks. It is best to protect your appliances and be sure they do not become dangers by adhering to these household appliance safety tips from Cox Appliance Repair.

The tips below can help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken kitchen appliances. That being said, hazards can still happen. In the event an appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a safety concern, hire a professional appliance repair Anaheim.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, therefore power cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This special type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power arise.

If you don’t already have GFCI outlets in wet locations around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Anaheim. Then, for additional safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor use.

Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water

A lot of home appliances are specially designed for outdoor areas, like gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – be sure that all of the outlets and plugs are not wet. Weatherproof electronics help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer

Extension cords pose a lot of noticeable risks, this includes:

The chance for a loose connection that might result in sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that will damage the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that may result in electrocution.
The chance of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure that it is the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For instance, a extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord whereas a larger cord for a air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is lost on the way, also called voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are recommended for power tools and equipment.

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

It’s easy to assume that you know how to use your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for many reasons:

You will want to find out if your house’s wiring is enough to support the new appliance. You may have to install a circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.

You learn about features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known.
You understand if the new appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.

You avoid the frustration that can come from trying to start a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them

You are able to reduce unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, clocks and other features standby mode.

Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.

For even more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact Cox Appliance Repair. We can repair all major household appliances!

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