The appliances in a home can make your life much easier, but if you use them unsafely, they could create evident health risks. It is important to protect appliances and be sure they won’t become dangers by adhering to these household appliance safety suggestions from C&L Fort Lauderdale Appliance Repair.
The tips below will help prevent fires and injuries due to broken household appliances. However, hazards could still happen. In the event an appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, call a professional appliance repair Fort Lauderdale.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to possible moisture or water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not go together, so electrical cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power are detected.
If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in wet locations inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Fort Lauderdale. Then, for even more safety, heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor areas.
Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Several home appliances are manufactured for outdoor areas, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
Extension cords can pose many risks, including:
The likelihood of loose connections that might lead to sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that might break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that might result in electrocution.
The likelihood of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the cord size. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a lamp will have a 16-gauge cord while a larger cord for a air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone enroute, also known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are recommended for electric tools and similar equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It is simple to assume that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s wiring is sufficient to power the new appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to stop overloading any current ones.
You learn more about features you might not otherwise have known.
You learn whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the frustration that can come from trying to use a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You are able to stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy use. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their background features.
For additional tips on how to use appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair company, please contact C&L Fort Lauderdale Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all major household appliances!
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