The appliances inside of your home make your life much less stressful, but if you use appliances unsafely, they could produce evident risks. You should protect appliances and be sure they do not become dangers by adhering to these helpful home appliance safety tips from L&C Virginia Beach Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article will help prevent fires and injuries due to broken appliances. Even still, hazards can still occur. If a home appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a local appliance repair Virginia Beach.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to moisture or water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not go together, so power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in power are detected.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets in wet locations inside and around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Virginia Beach. After that, for additional safety measures, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not meant for outdoor use.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas
Quite a few appliances are designed for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – be sure that all of the outlets and plugs are dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Solution
An extension cord poses many potential risks, this includes:
The potential for loose connections that could create sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that might ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that may result in electrocution.
The odds of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for short-term use, ensure it is the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord while a big cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more power is used up on the way, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for electric tools and equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is obvious to guess that you know how to use your brand new home appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for many reasons:
You will find out if your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the new appliance. You may have to install a better circuit to stop overloading any current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you might not otherwise have known about.
You learn whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You do not have the extreme stress that can come from trying to operate a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You are able to limit unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances often include LED signals, clocks and other energy-consuming features while in standby mode.
Unplug televisions, computer monitors, routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy use. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their background features.
For extra tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact L&C Virginia Beach Appliance Repair. We can fix all common household appliances!
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