The appliances inside of a home make life much less stressful, but if you use them incorrectly, they could produce significant risks. You will want to care for appliances and be sure they will not turn into dangers by adhering to these appliance safety suggestions from Premiere Chicago Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post will help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. However, hazards might still happen. If an appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair Chicago.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and water do not mix, therefore electrical cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power arise.
If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets in damp areas around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Chicago. Once that is done, for further safety, be sure to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Several home appliances are specifically designed for outdoor areas, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer
Extension cords pose many potential risks, including:
The likelihood of loose connections that might cause sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that will ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that may cause electrocution.
The odds of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the right gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a simple extension cord for a radio could have a 16-gauge wire whereas a larger cord for a air conditioner unit uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up on the way, something known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for electric tools and similar equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is simple to assume that you know how to use a brand new home appliance without reading the manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:
You will find out if your house’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about features you might not otherwise have known about.
You learn whether the appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can come from attempting to operate a home 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 them when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED lights, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, internet routers, video game systems, phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact Premiere Chicago Appliance Repair. We can repair all popular home appliances!
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