The appliances inside of your house often make life much easier, but if you operate them incorrectly, they might create significant risks. It is best to maintain appliances and make sure they will not turn into hazards by following these appliance safety suggestions from IBC Irving Appliance Repair.
The tips in this post help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken household appliances. That being said, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes a danger, reach out to a professional appliance repair Texas.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are all susceptible to possible wetness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and water don’t go together, so power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This special type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity are detected.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets in wet locations inside and around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Texas. Then, for further safety measures, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor use.
Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water
Several home appliances are designed for outdoor use, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses several potential risks, including:
When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, be sure it’s the right gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a basic electrical extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge cord whereas a big cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is used up enroute, this is referred to as voltage drop. Short extension cords are good for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It’s easy to assume that you know how to use your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but reading the instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.
You learn more about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You learn if the appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.
You do not have the frustration that can sometimes come from trying to use a home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features standby times.
Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy use. Just remember, it is worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.
For additional tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair service, please contact IBC Irving Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all name brand household appliances!
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