If you are like many homeowners in San Angelo, a few power strips are lurking around your home. But hopefully, you are using them correctly and responsibly. Unfortunately, many consumers look at the investment of ten bucks for a power strip as a cost-effective solution to some serious electrical issues. So to help everyone stay safe while having the access they need to electricity, we have compiled a list of some vital safety tips to keep in mind when using a power strip in your home.
- Kitchen appliances and power strips are not a good pair. You might agree that a full-sized refrigerator is not a good choice for a power strip. But it is essential to know that even small kitchen appliances need more electricity than power strips should be delivering. So protect your home and loved ones by only plugging kitchen appliances directly into a wall outlet.
- Hairstyling implements are another type of device that uses a massive amount of electricity because of its heat. These items gulp electricity to curl, straighten, and dry your hair. A power strip was never designed to handle the power and temperature that these devices create. Only plug them into a GFCI outlet for safe use.
- Never make an exponential mistake by daisy-chaining or plugging one power strip into another. It is the fastest way to overload an outlet and electrical circuit. It will also result in costly damage to your devices and possibly an electrical fire in your home.
- When using a power strip, never place a floor mat or rug over the cord or the receptacles. A power strip will generate and dissipate a certain amount of heat when it is in use. Covering it can result in overheating and the increased potential of a fire.
- Never leave the cord or power strip dangling off a counter, table, or other surfaces when used. It is easy for the cable or strip to get snagged or tangled on something or someone and pulled off the hard surface. The items that are plugged into the power strip and the outlet can get damaged in the process. It is also a hazard for small children who are curious and tug on the cord or get it tangled around their neck.
- Even though a power strip has five or six outlets, that does not mean the outlet it is plugged into can handle the electrical demand of all those items. Understand that the limit of the outlet determines what you can plug into the power strip instead of the capability of the power strip dictating what the outlet will deliver.
Power strips can have many safe and acceptable uses. However, it can be easy to misuse this device and increase the potential for an electrical house fire. When using a power strip, be sure to know its capability and the capability of the electrical outlet. If you have questions or concerns about your home’s outlets or electrical system, call Legacy Electric at (325) 221-3616 to schedule an appointment with a licensed electrician.