Practice these tips for kitchen electrical safety so you can prepare meals without fear of any electrical problems.
Electrical safety is critical throughout every part of your home. However, the kitchen is particularly important for a few reasons. The combination of water and electricity can be deadly, and kitchens are naturally damp places. Additionally, many homeowners use numerous different appliances in the kitchen. What are some ways you can ensure you practice good kitchen electrical safety at your home?
Never Use Extension Cords Permanently
Extension cords are never a replacement for an outlet, so you should not attempt to use them as such. Instead, you should only use them temporarily and immediately unplug them when you are done. Any large appliance in your kitchen must be plugged directly into an outlet, not a power strip or extension cord.
Always Use GFCI Outlets
Most municipalities require homes to have GFCI outlets installed in the kitchen and bathroom. This is because these outlets are designed to decrease the risk of electrical shock. Any time you plug an appliance into a GFCI outlet, and it detects a problem with the appliance or a potential short, it immediately shuts off the circuit. This prevents fire from starting or spreading; these outlets are essential electrical safety tools.
Unplug as You Go
It might be convenient to leave appliances plugged in, but it can also present an electrical safety risk. On top of this increased risk, your electricity bills will also rise. Even when you aren’t running appliances like coffee machines, air fryers, or electric kettles, they still pull a certain amount of current.
One Appliance Each
When you are plugging appliances in, make sure that you only have one plugged-in per outlet. Having too many high-powered devices in every outlet in your kitchen is a surefire way to trip a circuit breaker or overload your outlet. When outlets are overloaded, the risk of an electrical safety problem dramatically increases.
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