Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your home make your life easier, but if you use them incorrectly, they might pose evident risks. You should maintain appliances and make sure they won’t turn into hazards by following these appliance safety suggestions from Pearson Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, reach out to a professional appliance repair CITY.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home

Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to wetness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water do not go together, so power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This particular type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity occur.

If you do not currently have GFCI outlets in wet locations inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. After that, for further safety, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that a household appliance is not meant for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water

Some appliances are specifically manufactured for the outdoors, like barbecue grills. If you use electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all outlets and plugs are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution

Extension cords can pose many potential risks, including:

• The likelihood of a loose connection that might result in sparks and start a fire.
• The possibility of power interruptions that will damage the appliance.
• Greater susceptibility to water penetration that could cause electrocution.
• The odds of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, make sure it’s the right gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the cord size. For example, a simple household extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge wire whereas a heavy-duty cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is gone enroute, something called voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for electric tools and similar equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy

It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate your new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for many reasons:

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

You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known.
You understand if the new appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.

You do not have the frustration that can come from trying to start a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used

You are able to limit unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when you aren’t operating them. The reason is small appliances often include LED indicators, timers and other features standby times.

Unplug televisions, monitors, routers, video game systems, smart phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For even more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact Pearson Appliance Repair. We can repair all popular home appliances!

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