Safety When Working on Appliances

If you are going to attempt any type of do-it-yourself repairs at home, it is very important that you know the proper safety precautions to follow when working on appliances. Safety is very important to preventing accidents. There are many serious injuries that can occur when you are working on appliances, especially if you are not licensed and experienced in appliance repair.

Before you ever try any work on your own, be sure you know how to operate the basic tools. If you have any doubts about your capabilities, please be sure to call an appliance repair technician to assist you with your appliance repair.

Be sure you always keep a first aid kit nearby. There are minor accidents that may occur as well and having this kit equipped and handy will help with these.

Some basic safety procedures that you should adhere to while working on appliances are:

• Wear good working gloves. This will prevent you from becoming cut on sharp edges or tools.
• Remove any jewelry and pull back your hair if it is long. Anything that dangles can become stuck in something and injure you.
• Wear work boots. Heavy appliances or tools can get dropped on the feet.
• Use the correct tools for the job.
• Wear protective goggles for your eyes.
• Make sure your tools are clean and in good working order.
• Keep your work area well lit. Use special lighting for shining in tight areas if needed.
• Be careful placing your hands or fingers into any tight holes or crevices in an appliance as there may be sharp edges.
• Ask for help when moving heavy appliances or tools. Be sure to lift properly so as not to strain your back.
• Make sure your work area is clean of debris, water, oil, etc.

In addition, when working with appliances, there are certain electrical safety tips you should follow as well.

First, you should always be sure that the power to the appliance is turned off and that you know the locations to any plus, fuses, circuit breakers or fuses within the home. You should have them properly labeled so you know what they are for.

Make sure if you do a voltage test that you reconnect the power only during the voltage test and that you don’t forget to disconnect it again afterward. Make sure every major appliance has its own grounded electrical circuit to avoid possible electrocution or fire hazard.

Be sure you never use an extension cord for your appliance. Don’t alter the power supply, cords, plugs or other electrical components or features on the appliance. Be sure any frayed, broken, pinches or damaged wires are replaces.

In addition to the safety tips above, also be sure when replacing parts that you use only the recommended parts for the appliance you are using. Also inspect any water valves or connections for leaks before you reconnect the power supply and if your appliance works with gas, be sure the gas is properly disconnected and then reconnected when the repair is complete.