The appliances in your home often make your life much less stressful, but when you operate appliances incorrectly, they might pose noticeable risks. It is important to protect your appliances and be sure they will not turn into dangers by following these helpful home appliance safety recommendations from Beaverton Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below can help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair Beaverton.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to dampness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not go together, therefore power cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity are detected.
If you do not have GFCI outlets in damp areas around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Beaverton. Once that is done, for even more safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Quite a few home appliances are specifically designed for the outdoors, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and more – ensure that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Option
Extension cords pose several noticeable risks, including:
The potential for loose connections that sometimes can lead to sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that can break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that could cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for short-term use, make sure it’s the right gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For example, a simple household extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge wire where a longer cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is gone enroute, this is known as voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for electric tools and outdoor equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It’s easy to assume that you know how to use your new appliance without reading the manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for several reasons:
You will want to find out whether your home’s wiring is enough to support the new appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn about features you might not otherwise have known.
You learn whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to use a appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You are able to stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED signals, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby times.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For additional tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact Beaverton Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all name brand home appliances!
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