The appliances in your house make your life less stressful, but if you operate household appliances incorrectly, they could pose significant risks. It is best to care for your appliances and ensure that they won’t become dangers by following these helpful appliance safety recommendations from Nashua Appliance Repair.
The tips below can help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken appliances. Even still, hazards could still occur. In the event a home appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, reach out to a appliance repair Nashua.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to moisture or water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, so power cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity occur.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets in wet areas around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Nashua. After that, for safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor areas.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Some appliances are specially manufactured for the outdoors, like gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics help, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer
Extension cords pose a lot of potential risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that can create sparks and a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that will ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that may lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for short-term use, be sure that it is the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the wire. For instance, a household extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord where a longer cord for a air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up enroute, a phenomenon called voltage drop. Short cords are advised for electric tools and equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is simple to assume that you know how to operate your new home appliance without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out if your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to stop overloading any current ones.
You learn more about complicated features you would not have otherwise have known about.
You understand if the new appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You can prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED signals, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, internet routers, video game systems, phone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.
For more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair service, please contact Nashua Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all popular home appliances!
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