The appliances in your home make your life much less stressful, but if you use them the wrong way, they could pose evident risks. You will want to maintain your appliances and make sure they will not become hazards by adhering to these home appliance safety recommendations from Prime Pasadena Appliance Repair.
The tips in this post will help prevent fires and injuries related to broken appliances. That being said, hazards might still happen. If a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair Pasadena.
Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in a Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible dampness or water. Of course, electricity and water do not go together, that means power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity occur.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in wet locations around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Pasadena. Once that is done, for safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not meant for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Wet Areas
Several appliances are built for outdoor areas, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – monitor that all of the plugs and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics will help, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses many risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that can create sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that would damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that may cause electrocution.
The odds of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, be sure it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the cord size. For instance, a household extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge cord where a longer cord for a air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more electricity is used up enroute, something known as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for power tools and outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It’s easy to assume that you know how to operate a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but reading the instructions is necessary for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about complicated features you might not otherwise known about.
You learn if the new appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to start a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, timers and other features while in standby mode.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, routers, video game systems, phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.
For extra tips on using appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Prime Pasadena Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all popular household appliances!
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