Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house make your life easier, but if you operate them unsafely, they could create significant risks. It is important to maintain your appliances and ensure that they will not become hazards by following these home appliance safety recommendations from Ericson Appliance Repair.

The tips below will help to prevent fires and injuries from appliances. However, hazards could still happen. In the event an appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to moisture or dripping water. Of course, electricity and water do not mix, 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 arise.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside of your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for even more safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor areas.

Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water

Quite a few appliances are specially manufactured for outdoor use, such as charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you use any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – monitor that all of the plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer

Extension cords pose many noticeable risks, including:

The likelihood of a loose connection that could create sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that might ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it’s the correct gauge for the home appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For example, a basic electrical extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge wire while a big cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more power is used up enroute, this is referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for power tools and equipment.

Always Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It’s easy to assume that you know how to operate your brand new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the instructions is necessary for many reasons:

You should find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You might need to install a circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.

You learn about features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You discover whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.

You don’t have the extreme stress that can come from trying to run a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them

You are able to prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED lights, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.

Unplug televisions, computer monitors, internet routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.

For even more tips on using home appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Ericson Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all name brand home appliances!

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