We use electricity so often that taking it for granted is easy. However, it’s important to remember that electricity is a powerful and sometimes dangerous force. When it comes to home appliances, electrical safety is a must.

No matter how big or small, appliances can become hazardous if used without proper safety precautions. Here is a breakdown of some of the most important electrical safety measures you can implement in your home. 

Watch Out for Electrical Overloads

Too much electricity being drawn through a wire or cord can cause an overload. When there is too much power and too little room to contain it, the overload can generate heat and pose a serious fire hazard.

Signs of an electrical overload include:

• Tripped circuit breakers
• Warm or hot outlet covers
• Scorch marks around outlet covers
• Buzzing sounds from outlets or switches
• Appliances or electronics that are frequently slow or underpowered
• Getting shocked when you touch outlets or appliances

In some cases, an electrical overload is a one-off event. Maybe you plugged in one too many kitchen appliances and tripped a circuit breaker. In that case, you simply need to unplug one of the appliances, reset the breaker, and avoid repeating the situation.

Electrical overload can also be an ongoing issue. If any of the above signs are present, it’s important to assess the situation, adjust your power usage, and possibly contact a certified electrician to resolve the issue.

Electrical overloads are often caused by:

• Using too many appliances in one space
• Using power strips or multi-socket adapters to draw additional power from outlets
• Permanent or long-term use of extension cords
• Old or faulty wiring
• Outdated electrical capacity

To avoid electrical overloads, it’s important to use your electrical system and appliances correctly. Always follow the use instructions that come with appliances and know the limits of your electrical system.

If it’s not feasible to change your appliance or power usage, consider having an electrician install additional outlets, update your wiring, or install a new electrical panel to support your power usage.

Never Mix Water and Appliances

We’re generally taught from a young age that we shouldn’t mix electricity and water. This is one of the foundations of appliance safety. But what happens when your appliances are in or near water, either intentionally or accidentally?

Some outlets are necessarily located near water or potentially wet areas. This includes bathrooms and laundry areas, as well as exterior outlets that might get wet or are located near a pool or hot tub.

Outlets near water should all feature a GCFI, or ground fault circuit interrupter—a safety device that can shut off the flow of power if it detects an imbalance between the power flowing into and out of a circuit. This helps prevent electrical shocks and protects electrical systems and appliances from overheating, getting damaged, or starting a fire.

Beyond using GCFIs, here are some basic safety tips for dealing with appliances when water is present.

Appliances and water safety:

• Never touch appliances or cords with wet hands or if you’re standing in water
• If an appliance falls into water, turn off the power then unplug it before you attempt to touch it
• If you need to use an appliance near water, see if there’s a battery-operated option rather than a corded one

Even a small amount of water can pose a risk when it comes to appliances. If you have any appliances or outlets that are near water, always keep track of them so that you can prevent accidents and keep your household safe.

Follow Manufacturer Instructions

The instructions that come with appliances can sometimes seem overly long and complicated, but they are there for a reason. The information about how to position, store, and use an appliance increases its longevity and helps keep us safe. 

Manufacturer instructions that you should always follow include:

• Do not yank cords when unplugging appliances
• Avoid compressing, crimping, or altering cords in any way
• Give appliances proper clearance so they are not pressed against a wall or placed underneath a surface

While these may not apply to every appliance, they are good rules of thumb. Remember, these instructions aren’t there to make your life harder—they’re there to keep you safe.

If you live in Morris County or the surrounding area, call the team at Morris County Appliance Repair if you have any questions or concerns about appliance safety, appliance installation, or appliance repair. We have over 50 years of combined experience working with home appliances, and we’ll be happy to help. We do all our work in-house and we have experience with a range of appliance brands. Morris County Appliance Repair—You Can Count On Us!