The appliances in your house often make your life easier, but when you operate appliances the wrong way, they could pose evident risks. It is best to maintain appliances and be sure they don’t become hazards by following these appliance safety recommendations from P&G Baltimore Appliance Repair.
The tips below help prevent fires and injuries due to home appliances. That being said, hazards could still occur. If an appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a appliance repair Baltimore.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to moisture or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t go together, that means power cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity occur.
If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms inside and around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Baltimore. Once that is done, for safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas
Some home appliances are specially built for outdoor areas, such as charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and others – be sure that all of the plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option
An extension cord poses a lot of potential risks, this includes:
The chance for a loose connection that sometimes can create sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power interruptions that could ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that may cause electrocution.
The chance of cords 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 limited-time use, make sure that it is the correct gauge for the home appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For instance, a simple household extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge cord while a heavy-duty cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is gone enroute, this is referred to as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for electric tools and equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It’s obvious to assume that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but reading the guidelines is important for many reasons:
You will find out if your house’s wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may have to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise known.
You discover if the appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.
You do not have the extreme frustration that can come from trying to start a home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You are able to limit unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby times.
Unplug televisions, monitors, routers, video game systems, smart phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For additional tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact P&G Baltimore Appliance Repair. We can fix all common home appliances!
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