Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside your home make life less stressful, but if you operate them the wrong way, they could create noticeable health risks. It is best to care for your appliances and ensure that they don’t turn into dangers by adhering to these appliance safety tips from Pierce Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below can help prevent fires and injuries related to broken appliances. However, hazards could still happen. If an appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes a safety issue, reach out to a professional appliance repair.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to dampness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not mix, that means electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in power occur.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in wet locations inside of your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for further safety, be sure to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not meant for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water

Some home appliances are built for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – ensure that all of the cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

Extension cords can pose several evident risks, including:

The likelihood of a loose connection that might cause sparks and a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that would break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that might lead to electrocution.
The odds of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the wire. For example, a extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire while a longer cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more power is gone on the way, this is called voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for electric tools and outdoor equipment.

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

It is simple to guess that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:

You should find out if your house’s wiring is sufficient to power the new appliance. You might have to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.

You learn about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You discover whether the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.

You don’t have the frustration that can sometimes come from trying to operate a home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use

You are able to reduce unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t operating them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED signals, clocks and other energy-consuming features during standby mode.

Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, video game systems, phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy use. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.

For additional tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair service, please contact Pierce Appliance Repair. We can repair all common home appliances!

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