The appliances in a house make your life much less stressful, but when you operate them incorrectly, they might pose significant health risks. You should care for your appliances and ensure that they do not become hazards by adhering to these helpful home appliance safety suggestions from Same-Day Skokie Appliance Repair.
The tips in this post will help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken appliances. Even still, hazards might still happen. If an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, reach out to a local appliance repair Skokie.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, therefore power cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in power are detected.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets installed in damp locations inside and around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Skokie. After that, for further safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that note that a household appliance is not for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas
Several appliances are specifically manufactured for the outdoors, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, power tools and more – monitor that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Solution
An extension cord poses a lot of potential risks, this includes:
The chance for loose connections that can create sparks and a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that can ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that might lead to electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure that it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the wire. For instance, a simple household extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire while a longer cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more power is gone on the way, also referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is easy to assume that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You will find out whether your house’s wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn more about complicated features you might not otherwise have known.
You learn whether the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You don’t have the extreme stress that can come from attempting to operate a new home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You can stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when you are not operating them. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, timers and other features while in standby mode.
Unplug televisions, computer monitors, routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy use. But remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.
For extra tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Same-Day Skokie Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all popular household appliances!
OTHER RESOURCES:
Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts
Copyright ©2024 Same-Day Skokie Appliance Repair