Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a home can make your life less stressful, but if you use them unsafely, they might produce noticeable risks. It is important to care for your appliances and ensure that they will not become dangers by adhering to these home appliance safety recommendations from Triumph Appliance Repair of Troy.

The tips in this article can help prevent fires and injuries related to broken appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If an appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair Troy.

Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not mix, that means power cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This type of electrical outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity are detected.

If you do not already have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Troy. Once that is done, for safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor use.

Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water

A lot of appliances are specifically built for the outdoors, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you have electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – ensure that all cords and outlets are dry. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

Extension cords can pose many potential risks, this includes:

The chance for loose connections that might result in sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that might ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The likelihood of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure that it is the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the cord size. For example, a basic extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge wire where a bigger cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is lost enroute, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It is simple to assume that you know how to operate a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for a lot of reasons:

You will find out whether your home’s wiring is enough to support the new appliance. You might need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.

You learn about advanced features you would not have otherwise have known about.
You understand if the appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.

You don’t have the frustration that can sometimes come from trying to use a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used

You are able to limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other features during standby mode.

Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy use. Just remember, it is worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For additional tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Triumph Appliance Repair of Troy. Our repairmen can fix all common home appliances!

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