Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside your house make your life less stressful, but if you use them the wrong way, they might create noticeable health risks. You will want to maintain your appliances and be sure they do not become hazards by adhering to these helpful appliance safety suggestions from Elite Bloomington Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below help prevent fires and injuries from broken household appliances. However, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair Bloomington.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible moisture or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, that means electrical cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This particular type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity arise.

If you do not have GFCI outlets in damp areas around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Bloomington. Then, for further safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that a home appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water

Some home appliances are built for the outdoors, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – monitor that all outlets and plugs are not wet. Weatherproof electronics will help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution

An extension cord poses several evident risks, including:

The potential for a loose connection that sometimes can result in sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that might damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that can result in electrocution.
The chance of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, make sure that it is the appropriate gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For instance, a extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge cord whereas a big cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also important. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is used up on the way, this is referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for power tools and equipment.

Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It’s simple to guess that you know how to operate a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but reading the guidelines is important for several reasons:

You should find out whether your home’s wiring is enough to power the appliance. You may need to install a circuit to stop overloading any current ones.

You learn about complicated features you would not have otherwise known.
You learn whether the appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.

You avoid the extreme stress that can come from trying to start a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used

You can limit unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED lights, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.

Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, game consoles, phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For additional tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Elite Bloomington Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all popular home appliances!

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