Summary
Power strips are convenient ways to get more outlets to the places where we need them. However, if they are use improperly, they can also present a danger to you and your home. Here are four things you should never do with power strips.
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In a typical home, there are power outlets on almost every wall. But despite the prevalence of power outlets, it sometimes seems like there’s never enough outlets where you need them. Power strips can add more outlets, but many people make mistakes with power strips that can harm your home instead.
For Personal Tech Media, this is Two Minute Tech. I’m Jim Herman.
First, don’t daisy chain power strips. A power strip is only designed to handle a certain amount of power. If you plug a power strip into another power strip, you run a high risk of overloading the first strip. Overloading a power strip can result in short circuiting, and it can even melt the strip itself or start a fire.
Second, don’t leave power strips in dangerous places. Keep them away from water and places that run the risk of water, like the floor of your laundry room. A washing machine leak could turn deadly if the puddle of water finds its way to electricity. Also, don’t cover power strips as they could spark, and keep them away from places where pets can get to them.
Third, don’t plug devices that turn electricity into heat into your power strips. This prohibition would apply to space heaters, microwaves, hot plates, toasters, and coffee makers. These devices require high capacity output that can quickly overload a power strip.
And finally, whenever you can, unplug your power strips when they’re not needed. Even with the switch off, a power strip can still draw power from the wall into the wiring, which increases the risk of issues. If you don’t need anything plugged into the strip, disconnect it from the outlet so there’s no chance of disaster.