The appliances in your house make life much less stressful, but when you operate them unsafely, they might pose evident risks. It is best to protect your appliances and make sure they do not turn into hazards by adhering to these home appliance safety suggestions from Oshkosh Appliance Repair.
The tips below will help prevent fires and injuries due to home appliances. However, hazards can still occur. In the event a home appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes a safety concern, hire a professional appliance repair Oshkosh.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible moisture or water. As you well know, electricity and water do not mix, therefore electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This particular type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in power are detected.
If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Oshkosh. Once that is done, for further safety, be sure to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not meant for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Wet Areas
Some home appliances are built for outdoor areas, like barbecue grills. If you have electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all of the cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer
Extension cords pose several evident risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that could cause sparks and a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that might damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that may lead to electrocution.
The probability of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a simple electrical extension cord for a garden tool may have a 16-gauge cord whereas a longer cord for a air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is lost enroute, also called voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It is obvious to assume that you know how to use a new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You will want to find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to stop overloading any current ones.
You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You learn if the appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the stress that can come from trying to start a home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You can reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features standby mode.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For extra tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Oshkosh Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all popular home appliances!
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