Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a house can make life much less stressful, but if you use them unsafely, they might produce noticeable health risks. You will want to care for appliances and make sure they don’t become dangers by following these helpful appliance safety recommendations from A&L Tempe Appliance Repair.

The tips below can help prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. Even still, hazards can still happen. In the event a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair Tempe.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home

Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible wetness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture don’t go together, so power cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This special type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in power are detected.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp areas inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Tempe. After that, for further safety, you will want to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not meant for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Damp Areas

Many home appliances are designed for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option

An extension cord poses several risks, this includes:

The chance for loose connections that sometimes can result in sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that might damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that might cause electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, be sure that it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge wire while a bigger cord for a air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also important. The longer the extension cord, the more power is gone on the way, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase

It’s easy to assume that you know how to operate a new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is important for many reasons:

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

You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise have known.
You learn whether the appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.

You don’t have the extreme frustration that can come from trying to start a appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when you aren’t using them. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, timers and other features while in standby times.

Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, internet routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background functions.

For even more tips on using appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact A&L Tempe Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all major household appliances!

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