Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside a home can make life easier, but if you operate them incorrectly, they might produce noticeable risks. You should maintain your appliances and be sure they won’t turn into dangers by following these appliance safety recommendations from Gold Glendale Appliance Repair.

The tips in this article can help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. Even still, hazards might still occur. In the event a home appliance has issues or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, hire a professional appliance repair California.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to possible moisture or water. As you well know, electricity and water don’t go together, that means electrical cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in electricity occur.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in California. Then, for safety, heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not for outdoor areas.

Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water

Several appliances are specially manufactured for outdoor use, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – ensure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Weatherproof electronics help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

Extension cords pose a lot of risks, including:

  • The likelihood of loose connections that can lead to sparks and a fire.
  • The likelihood of power fluctuations that can ruin the appliance.
  • Increased vulnerability to water penetration that can result in electrocution.
  • The likelihood of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for short-term use, make sure that it is the right gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For example, a basic electrical extension cord for a lamp may have a 16-gauge cord while a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is used up enroute, something known as voltage drop. Short cords are good for electric tools and equipment.

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

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

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

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

You do not have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from attempting to operate a new appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used

You can reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when you are not operating them. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED lights, clocks and other features during standby mode.

Unplug televisions, monitors, routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.

For even more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact Gold Glendale Appliance Repair. We can repair all name brand home appliances!

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DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
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