Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house often make your life less stressful, but if you use them the wrong way, they might pose noticeable health risks. It is important to maintain appliances and make sure they will not become dangers by adhering to these home appliance safety recommendations from Livermore Appliance Repair Pros.

The professional tips below will help to prevent fires and injuries from broken kitchen appliances. However, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a appliance repair Livermore service near you.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in a Home

Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to possible moisture or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not go together, therefore electrical cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in power arise.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets in wet locations inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Livermore. Once that is done, for additional safety measures, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas

Many appliances are specially built for outdoor use, such as charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, electric tools and more – ensure that all outlets and plugs are dry. Weatherproof electronics help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer

Extension cords can pose many evident risks, including:

The potential for loose connections that might result in sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that will ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that might result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for short-term use, make sure that it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a basic extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge cord whereas a longer cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is gone on the way, a phenomenon called voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are recommended for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy

It’s easy to assume that you know how to use a brand new home appliance without reading the manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for many reasons:

You shouldfind out if your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.

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

You do not have the frustration that can come from trying to start a home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used

You are able to prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances often include LED signals, timers and other energy-consuming features while in standby mode.

Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, video game systems, phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their background features.

For even more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Livermore Appliance Repair Pros. We can fix all popular household appliances!

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