The appliances inside your home often make your life much easier, but when you use them unsafely, they could create significant health risks. It is best to protect your appliances and make sure they will not become hazards by following these household appliance safety suggestions from Delta Des Moines Appliance Repair.
The tips in this post can help prevent fires and injuries from appliances. Even still, hazards might still occur. If an appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, reach out to a appliance repair Des Moines.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in a Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to possible moisture or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and moisture do not go together, therefore electrical cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity are detected.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp rooms around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for safety measures, heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not meant for outdoor use.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Wet Areas
A lot of home appliances are specifically designed for outdoor use, like gas and charcoal grills. If you use any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – ensure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Solution
An extension cord poses many evident risks, including:
The chance for a loose connection that might create sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that might damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that may lead to electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the wire size. For instance, a simple household extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge wire where a longer cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more power is lost enroute, a phenomenon called voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for electric tools and equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is obvious to guess that you know how to use a new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but reading the instructions is necessary for many reasons:
You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the new appliance. You might need to install a circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You discover if the new appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the stress that can come from attempting to operate a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Are Not Using Them
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED signals, timers and other features during standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy use. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For extra tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Delta Des Moines Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all popular household appliances!
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