Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a house make life much easier, but if you use household appliances the wrong way, they could pose noticeable health risks. You will want to protect appliances and be sure they don’t turn into hazards by adhering to these helpful appliance safety suggestions from Direct Denver Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below will help prevent fires and injuries from broken kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards could still occur. In the event an appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a danger, call a local appliance repair Denver.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in a Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are all susceptible to possible dampness or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t mix, therefore power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power are detected.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Denver. Then, for safety, heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.

Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water

Quite a few home appliances are specifically built for the outdoors, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all of the outlets and cords are dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Option

An extension cord poses several risks, including:

The chance for a loose connection that might cause sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that would ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that may cause electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for short-term use, make sure it is the correct gauge for the home appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For instance, a electrical extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord whereas a bigger cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is used up enroute, also known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for power tools and equipment.

Always Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It’s simple to guess that you know how to operate your new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is necessary for a lot of reasons:

You should find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is enough to support the new appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.

You learn about features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You discover whether the appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.

You do not have the frustration that can come from attempting to run a appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Are Not Using Them

You can stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other features while in standby mode.

Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background functions.

For more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact Direct Denver Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all common home appliances!

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