The appliances in a house often make life less stressful, but if you operate them unsafely, they could produce noticeable risks. You should maintain appliances and make sure they don’t turn into dangers by adhering to these home appliance safety recommendations from Enhance New Brunswick Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post help prevent fires and injuries due to broken appliances. Even still, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance has issues or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a local appliance repair New Brunswick.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and water don’t mix, so electrical cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity arise.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets installed in wet locations around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in New Brunswick. After that, for safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Many appliances are designed for the outdoors, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you use any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all plugs and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
Extension cords can pose many evident risks, including:
The potential for a loose connection that could lead to sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that can ruin the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, be sure that it is the correct gauge for the home appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For example, a simple extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge wire where a big cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the cord, the more power is used up on the way, also referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It is obvious to assume that you know how to use a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:
You should find out if your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may need to install a circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn more about features you would not have otherwise have known.
You understand whether the appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to run a new home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You can stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, internet routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background features.
For even more tips on using home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Enhance New Brunswick Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all common household appliances!
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