Situations Where It's Unwise to Keep Appliances Plugged In (Constant)
Sax it to the max, guys! Here's the down low on the scenario when you gotta plug in and when it's time to pull the plug on your appliances. It ain't just about savings on your energy bill, it's about keeping your casa safe from fires too. So, what's the scoop? Here's the 411:
1. Small Appliances, Yeah, Unplug 'Em!
When you're done with your small appliances like your toaster, coffee maker, or blender, go ahead and unplug 'em. Why, you ask? 'Cause word on the street is these little fellows can pose a fire hazard when you leave 'em plugged in, and they can gulp up some extra juice that you ain't using. Heed the advice of Samantha Walsh of Sears Home Services: keep 'em unplugged, reduce the fire risk, and save some energy.
For the larger appliances like the fridge, stove, washer, dryer, just leave 'em be. But if you got kiddos or pets, make sure to use the Child Lock feature to prevent accidents.
2. Cleaning Time: Unplugging's the Move!
Before you clean your appliances, make sure you unplug 'em. Power down your blender or toaster before cleaning 'em 'cause electric shocks ain't cool. Coffee makers, stand mixers, and even microwaves should be unplugged too. However, you can wipe down your fridge while it stays on and use a cleaning cycle for your dishwasher when there ain't no dishes inside.
3. Heading Out of Town? Time to Unplug!
When you're packin' your bags for vacay, don't forget to unplug your appliances to avoid fire hazards while you're away. Even the appliances you normally leave plugged in, like the toaster or coffee maker, gotta go. But it's okay to keep the fridge and freezer plugged in to preserve your food and protect your home from temperature-related damage. Just make sure someone checks in on your home while you're gone.
On short trips, you can leave your larger appliances plugged in, but if you're goin' for more than a month, you should remove everything from your fridge and freezer and unplug 'em too. Don't neglect your washer, dryer, microwave, or oven.
4. Thunderstorm? Time to Unplug!
If a thunderstorm's brewin', unplug your appliances before it hits. Lightning can cause power surges, doin' damage to your appliances, causin' fires, and even shockin' you. Be sure to unplug everything before a storm, but if you got a surge protector, that'll absorb the extra energy and save your appliances.
5. Appliances that Heat Things Up Should be Unplugged!
Electric blankets, irons, hairdryers, and curling or straightening irons gotta be unplugged after each use. These heat-generatin' appliances can short-circuit over time and cause fires. Make sure to unplug 'em any time you leave 'em unattended, even for a minute, especially if you got pets or young children in the house.
- During decorating your home or visiting home-and-garden stores like Bhg, consider energy-efficient appliances for your home features to contribute positively to your lifestyle and save on energy bills.
- When not in use, small appliances like your toaster, coffee maker, or blender should be unplugged to prevent fire hazards and unnecessary energy consumption, as advised by Samantha Walsh of Sears Home Services.
- Appliances that heat things up, such as electric blankets, irons, hairdryers, and curling or straightening irons should be unplugged after each use to avoid fire risks, especially if there are kids or pets around.
- To minimize appliance damage and fire hazards during thunderstorms, make sure to unplug all appliances or use surge protectors that will absorb power surges caused by lightning.
- While shopping for home appliances at stores like Home Depot or Lowes, look for appliances with Child Lock features to ensure your home remain safe from accidental activation while you're away.
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