Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house make life much less stressful, but if you operate them incorrectly, they might create evident risks. It is best to protect your appliances and be sure they will not turn into dangers by following these helpful appliance safety tips from E&L Coral Gables Appliance Repair.

The tips in this post will help prevent fires and injuries related to broken household appliances. Even still, hazards could still happen. In the event an appliance has issues or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, call a professional appliance repair Coral Gables.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to wetness or water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not go together, therefore power cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity occur.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp locations inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Coral Gables. After that, for further safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas

A lot of home appliances are built for outdoor use, such as charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – monitor that all of the cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option

Extension cords can pose a lot of noticeable risks, this includes:

The potential for a loose connection that can lead to sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that can damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that could result in electrocution.
The chance of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, be sure that it is the right gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For instance, a simple extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord where a big cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is lost enroute, a phenomenon called voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for electric tools and outdoor equipment.

Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

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

You will find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is good enough to power the new appliance. You might have to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise known.
You learn if the new appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.

You don’t have the stress that can come from attempting to start a new home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them

You are able to limit unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED signals, clocks and other energy-consuming features standby mode.

Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, internet routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy usage. But remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their background functions.

For more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact E&L Coral Gables Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all major home appliances!

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