Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a home can make your life easier, but if you operate them unsafely, they might pose noticeable health risks. It is best to protect your appliances and make sure they won’t become dangers by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety tips from Infinity Appliance Repair.

The tips below will help prevent fires and injuries from broken appliances. That being said, hazards can still occur. In the event a home appliance has issues or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair Philadelphia.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t go together, therefore power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in power are detected.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets in wet areas inside of your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Philadelphia. Once that is done, for further safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor areas.

Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas

Many appliances are specifically designed for outdoor areas, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you have electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer

An extension cord poses several potential risks, this includes:

The potential for loose connections that sometimes can create sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power interruptions that will damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that may result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for limited-time use, make sure it is the appropriate gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For example, a simple electrical extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge wire while a bigger cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more power is used up on the way, also called voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and equipment.

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

It is easy to guess that you know how to use a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:

You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the new appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn about advanced features you would not have otherwise have known about.
You learn whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.

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

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them

You are able to prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when not in use. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED lights, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.

Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, internet routers, game systems, cellphone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their background features.

For extra tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact Infinity Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all major household appliances!

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