The appliances in your home make life much easier, but when you operate household appliances incorrectly, they could pose significant health risks. You should protect appliances and ensure that they don’t turn into dangers by following these helpful appliance safety suggestions from C&B Chino Hills Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this article can help to prevent fires and injuries related to home appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, hire a local appliance repair Chino Hills.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in a Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to possible dampness or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t go together, that means electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity are detected.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets in damp rooms inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Chino Hills. After that, for further safety measures, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor areas.
Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water
Many appliances are specially designed for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – monitor that all plugs and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics can help, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses many evident risks, including:
The likelihood of loose connections that might create sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that might ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that could result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for limited-time use, be sure that it’s the appropriate gauge for the home appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For example, a extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge cord whereas a big cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is lost on the way, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for electric tools and similar equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It is simple to assume that you know how to operate your new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but reading the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is enough to power the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn about advanced features you would not have otherwise known about.
You learn if the appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the frustration that can come from trying to run a new home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You can reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. This is because small appliances include LED lights, clocks and other features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For even more tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact C&B Chino Hills Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all major household appliances!
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