The appliances inside your house often make your life much easier, but if you use them the wrong way, they could pose significant risks. It is best to protect appliances and make sure they will not turn into dangers by adhering to these appliance safety tips from L&G San Diego Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post can help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken kitchen appliances. However, hazards might still occur. If a home appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety issue, call a professional appliance repair San Diego.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to moisture or water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t go together, so power cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This special type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity are detected.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in damp locations inside and around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in San Diego. Once that is done, for even more safety, you will want to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water
Some home appliances are manufactured for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – monitor that all outlets and plugs are dry. Using weatherproof electronics help, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses several evident risks, this includes:
The likelihood of loose connections that sometimes can create sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that can ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that might cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the wire size. For example, a basic household extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire where a big cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also important. The longer the extension cord, the more power is used up enroute, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and similar equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is obvious to guess that you know how to use a new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You will find out if your house’s wiring is good enough to power the appliance. You may need to install a circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about features you might not otherwise known.
You discover whether the appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You don’t have the stress that can sometimes come from attempting to operate a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You are able to limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-consuming features during standby times.
Unplug TVs, monitors, routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For extra tips on using home appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact L&G San Diego Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all common household appliances!
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