The appliances in a house often make life easier, but when you operate them incorrectly, they might create evident health risks. It is best to maintain appliances and ensure that they do not become hazards by following these home appliance safety tips from True Baton Rouge Appliance Repair.
The tips below help prevent fires and injuries related to home appliances. However, hazards could still happen. In the event a home appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, hire a local appliance repair Baton Rouge.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to possible moisture or water. As you well know, electricity and water don’t mix, so electrical cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This special type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity occur.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp rooms inside and around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Baton Rouge. Then, for further safety measures, heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Some appliances are designed for the outdoors, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are dry. Using weatherproof electronics will help, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer
Extension cords pose many noticeable risks, including:
The likelihood of loose connections that could result in sparks and a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that will ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that may cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, make sure it is the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the cord size. For instance, a electrical extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire whereas a longer cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up on the way, something referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and outdoor equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It is obvious to assume that you know how to operate your new appliance without reading the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for several reasons:
You should find out if your house’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the new appliance. You may need to install a circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.
You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You learn whether the appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.
You don’t have the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to operate a new home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them
You can prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when you aren’t using them. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED lights, clocks and other features standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, video game systems, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy consumption. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.
For more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact True Baton Rouge Appliance Repair. We can repair all popular home appliances!
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