Appliance trouble -part 1: Test

How to find out what's wrong in three easy steps.

It's almost Christmas and time for holiday guests. Your freezer suddenly isn't freezing, the stove won't heat, the dishwasher won't wash, and there's no time to call in a repairman. Don't panic -- there might be a simple answer. In part 1 of appliances trouble, there's a test to find out what's wrong in three easy steps. Basically, it's one of three things -- a bad outlet, an overloaded circuit or a faulty appliance. First, unplug the appliance and plug a lamp into the outlet. If it works, the appliance is the problem; if the lamp doesn't light, check the circuit breaker. If the breaker is tripped, reset it. If it trips again, there's a short in the wiring or serious problem in the outlet, and you'll need an electrician. A short circuit in wiring or in an outlet can be serious. And that's the On The House Tip for today.

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