The appliances in your home make your life less stressful, but when you operate them incorrectly, they could pose noticeable risks. You should maintain your appliances and be sure they don’t become dangers by adhering to these household appliance safety suggestions from Excel Oxnard Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this article can help to prevent fires and injuries from broken home appliances. However, hazards might still occur. If a home appliance has issues or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, hire a professional appliance repair California.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to possible wetness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water don’t mix, therefore electrical cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This special type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity are detected.
If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas inside of your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in California. Then, for safety, heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate they are not meant for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Wet Areas
Several appliances are built for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all cords and outlets are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Solution
An extension cord poses a lot of evident risks, this includes:
When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the wire. For instance, a basic electrical extension cord for a radio will have a 16-gauge wire whereas a big cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is used up on the way, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for power tools and similar equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It is easy to guess that you know how to operate a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is important for several reasons:
You will want to find out if your house’s wiring is enough to power the new appliance. You might have to install a circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You discover if the appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.
You do not have the stress that can sometimes come from attempting to start a home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You are able to reduce unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not operating them. The reason is small appliances often include LED lights, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.
For extra tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair service, please contact Excel Oxnard Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all common home appliances!
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