The appliances in your house can make life much easier, but when you operate them the wrong way, they might create significant risks. It is best to protect your appliances and ensure that they will not become dangers by adhering to these home appliance safety suggestions from Elite Honolulu Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article can help prevent fires and injuries due to broken household appliances. However, hazards could still happen. If a home appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety issue, hire a professional appliance repair Honolulu.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to dampness or water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not mix, therefore electrical cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This special type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity are detected.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets in wet rooms around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Honolulu. Once that is done, for further safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor use.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Wet Areas
Quite a few home appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor areas, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – ensure that all of the outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Option
An extension cord poses several potential risks, this includes:
The likelihood of loose connections that could cause sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that might break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that may cause electrocution.
The chance of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, make sure it’s the right gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the cord size. For instance, a simple electrical extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge wire where a bigger cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more power is used up on the way, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Short cords are good for electric tools and outdoor equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is easy to guess that you know how to operate a brand new appliance without reading the operating manual, but consulting the instructions is important for several reasons:
You should find out if your home’s wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise have known.
You understand whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to start a new home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Are Not Using Them
You are able to limit unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED lights, timers and other features while in standby times.
Unplug televisions, computer monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy use. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For additional tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair company, please contact Elite Honolulu Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all common home appliances!
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