The appliances inside of your house make your life much less stressful, but when you use appliances incorrectly, they could create noticeable risks. You will want to protect your appliances and make sure they won’t turn into dangers by following these helpful appliance safety recommendations from J&J Jackson Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this article can help to prevent fires and injuries due to home appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, call a appliance repair Jackson.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to wetness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not go together, that means power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity arise.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in wet locations inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Jackson. Once that is done, for even more safety, you will want to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water
Some appliances are built for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Solution
An extension cord poses many potential risks, this includes:
The chance for loose connections that might create sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that could break the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The probability of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for short-term use, be sure it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the wire. For example, a simple extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge cord while a longer cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more power is lost enroute, something known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and outdoor equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It’s easy to assume that you know how to operate your new appliance without reading the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You will find out if your home’s wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.
You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You learn whether the appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the extreme stress that can come from trying to use a new appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them
You can reduce unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when you aren’t using them. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features standby times.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy usage. But remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background features.
For additional tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact J&J Jackson Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all popular household appliances!
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