Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside a house often make life much easier, but when you operate them incorrectly, they might produce noticeable health risks. You should protect appliances and be sure they do not become hazards by following these helpful home appliance safety tips from Bellevue Appliance Repair.

The tips in this article help prevent fires and injuries related to broken home appliances. That being said, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes a safety concern, call a appliance repair Bellevue.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and moisture do not mix, that means electrical cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This particular type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity are detected.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas inside of your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Bellevue. After that, for further safety measures, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.

Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water

Many appliances are specifically built for the outdoors, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – ensure that all plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics help, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

Extension cords can pose several noticeable risks, this includes:

The potential for a loose connection that can cause sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that may break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that might lead to electrocution.
The probability of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it is the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the cord size. For instance, a extension cord for a garden tool might have a 16-gauge cord while a larger cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is used up on the way, also referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for power tools and outdoor equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy

It is simple to assume that you know how to operate a new home appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the instructions is important for a lot of reasons:

You will want to find out if your house’s wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise have known.
You learn if the new appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.

You avoid the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to operate a appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them

You are able to stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby mode.

Unplug TVs, monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.

For additional tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair service, please contact Bellevue Appliance Repair. We can fix all major household appliances!

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