Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of a home make life much less stressful, but if you operate them the wrong way, they could produce noticeable risks. You will want to protect your appliances and ensure that they will not become dangers by adhering to these appliance safety recommendations from All-Tech Appliance Repair.

The tips below will help prevent fires and injuries from appliances. That being said, hazards might still occur. If an appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, call a professional appliance repair.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to wetness or water. Of course, electricity and water do not mix, so power cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in power are detected.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets in damp areas around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. After that, for safety, you will want to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not designed for outdoor areas.

Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas

Several home appliances are specifically designed for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all of the cords and outlets are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Option

Extension cords can pose a lot of noticeable risks, including:

The chance for a loose connection that could create sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that would damage the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that might lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for short-term use, make sure that it is the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord where a big cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more power is used up enroute, also known as voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and similar equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase

It is simple to assume that you know how to use a new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for many reasons:

You should find out whether your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You might have to install a better circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.

You learn more about complicated features you might not otherwise have known about.
You learn whether the appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.

You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to operate a home appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use

You can stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED signals, clocks and other energy-draining features standby mode.

Unplug TVs, monitors, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For more tips on using appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact All-Tech Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all common household appliances!

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