The appliances inside your home often make your life much less stressful, but if you operate them incorrectly, they could pose significant risks. You will want to care for your appliances and make sure they do not become hazards by adhering to these helpful appliance safety recommendations from One-Call Sugar Land Appliance Repair.
The tips below can help prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. That being said, hazards can still happen. In the event a home appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, hire a appliance repair Sugar Land.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to possible dampness or water. As you well know, electricity and moisture don’t mix, therefore power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity arise.
If you do not currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Sugar Land. Once that is done, for even more safety measures, heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not meant for outdoor use.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
A lot of home appliances are specially manufactured for outdoor use, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all of the plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses many potential risks, this includes:
The chance for loose connections that might cause sparks and a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that might ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a simple household extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord where a heavy-duty cord for a air conditioner unit uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more electricity is lost on the way, something referred to as voltage drop. Short extension cords are recommended for power tools and equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It is obvious to assume that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but reading the guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.
You learn about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You understand whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You do not have the extreme frustration that can come from trying to start a appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You are able to stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances include LED signals, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.
Unplug televisions, monitors, routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.
For even more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact One-Call Sugar Land Appliance Repair. We can repair all name brand household appliances!
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