The appliances inside your home can make life less stressful, but if you operate them the wrong way, they could pose significant risks. It is important to care for your appliances and ensure that they don’t turn into hazards by following these helpful household appliance safety tips from Best Boca Raton Appliance Repair.
The tips below will help prevent fires and injuries from household appliances. However, hazards can still occur. If an appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair Boca Raton.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to moisture or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, that means electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power are detected.
If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside of your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Boca Raton. After that, for further safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not meant for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
Several home appliances are specifically built for the outdoors, like charcoal and gas grills. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, power tools and others – monitor that all of the outlets and cords are dry. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution
Extension cords pose many noticeable risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that could lead to sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that could ruin the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The chance of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for limited-time use, make sure it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the size for the wire. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge cord whereas a bigger cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is used up enroute, this is referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for electric tools and similar equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s obvious to assume that you know how to use your new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is important for several reasons:
You will want to find out if your home’s wiring is enough to power the appliance. You might have to install a circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You understand if the new appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the stress that can come from trying to start a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them
You are able to reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED lights, timers and other features during standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.
For more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact Best Boca Raton Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all major home appliances!
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