Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a house often make your life much easier, but if you operate them the wrong way, they could produce significant health risks. It is best to protect appliances and make sure they don’t turn into hazards by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety tips from Victory Indio Appliance Repair.

The tips below help prevent fires and injuries due to broken household appliances. Even still, hazards can still happen. If a home appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, call a local appliance repair Indio.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to possible dampness or water. Of course, electricity and water do not mix, that means power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity occur.

If you do not already have GFCI outlets in wet rooms around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Indio. After that, for safety measures, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor areas.

Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas

Some home appliances are specially designed for the outdoors, like gas and charcoal grills. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – ensure that all plugs and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics can help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer

An extension cord poses many noticeable risks, this includes:

The likelihood of loose connections that could create sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that would break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that might lead to electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, be sure it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the size for the wire. For instance, a household extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also important. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is lost en route, this is known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for electric tools and similar equipment.

Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase

It’s easy to assume that you know how to use your brand new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for many reasons:

You should find out whether your house’s wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You might have to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.

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

You don’t have the frustration that can come from attempting to start 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 them when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.

Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, internet routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background functions.

For even more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Victory Indio Appliance Repair. We can repair all name brand home appliances!

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