The appliances in your home can make life much less stressful, but when you operate appliances unsafely, they might create evident health risks. It is important to protect your appliances and be sure they do not turn into hazards by following these helpful home appliance safety recommendations from Fort Smith Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below help prevent fires and injuries due to broken kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards might still happen. If an appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes a safety issue, call a professional appliance repair Fort Smith.
Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to wetness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water don’t go together, therefore power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This special type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in electricity occur.
If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Fort Smith. Once that is done, for additional safety, heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Some appliances are specially designed for the outdoors, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
Extension cords pose several evident risks, including:
The likelihood of a loose connection that sometimes can cause sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that would ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that might cause 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 it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a radio will have a 16-gauge wire while a heavy-duty cord for a air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up on the way, also known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are good for electric tools and similar equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s obvious to guess that you know how to use your brand new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You shouldfind out if your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn about features you might not otherwise have known.
You learn if the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from attempting to use a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You are able to reduce unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED lights, clocks and other features while in standby times.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For additional tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Fort Smith Appliance Repair. We can fix all major household appliances!
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