Extension Cords and Power Strips: What You Need to Know!

A Fire Safety Article by Jackie Silveri, Eastern Diversified Services, Inc.

It was a great new condo, Jocelyn thought, as she rearranged the living room furniture for the fifth time. She just couldn’t make the layout work because the electrical outlets were too far from the lamps. After a lot of shifting, she realized an extension cord would do the trick. She carefully concealed the extension cord under her new area rug and across the room to the surge protector cord, which then reached perfectly to the wall outlet. Jocelyn was pleased with herself that the cord would not be a tripping hazard.

As the months passed, Jocelyn and her roommates continued to use the extension cord to power the lamps, and gradually they added other electrical items to the power strip. It was so convenient having all the extra outlets.

What they did not realize was that the extension cord under the carpet was gradually breaking down from foot traffic and was overheating due to high levels of power being pulled through the cord.

Jocelyn and her roommates were unaware of the safety hazards of extension cords until the day a fire sparked from the cord, turning their living space into an inferno within minutes.

According to the NFPA, extension cords account for more than 3,300 home fires each year.

You should always inspect your extension cords before use to check for any damage. See the infographic for 12 additional safety tips to help you protect your home and your business.

From time to time, we all use extension cords—at home and in the office. Be safe by educating yourself on the proper usage and capabilities of extension cords. Do not use them for items such as refrigerators or air conditioning units.

You can learn more about extension cord safety from your electrician or by visiting the National Fire Protection Association website.

12 Important Safety Tips

• NEVER use an extension cord or power strip with portable heaters or fans. The cords can overheat due to the amount of power being pulled through them, causing a fire.
• Extension cords are NOT a permanent fix. They are intended for temporary use.
• DO NOT plug extension cords into one another.
• DO NOT overload extension cords or power strips.
• Do not run extension cords through walls, ceilings, or floors. Heat cannot escape when cords are covered (for example, a cord under carpet).
• Never use an extension cord to power appliances such as refrigerators or freezers. These require significant power and must be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
• Do you check your cords when you buy them? Buy only extension cords approved by an independent testing laboratory. Look for UL, SA, or ETL certification.
• Never cut the grounding pin to force a 3-prong plug into a 2-prong outlet, as this can cause electric shock.
• Do not nail or staple electrical cords to walls or baseboards.
• If you rely heavily on extension cords, contact a professional electrician to install additional wall outlets.
• Use extension cords according to their rating, such as indoor or outdoor use.
• Lastly, but extremely important is to educate yourself on amperage limits. The length of a cord affects power capacity—every extra foot increases electrical resistance and reduces power delivery. ALWAYS use the shortest extension cord possible.

Jackie Silveri is the Director of Marketing for Eastern Diversified Services, Inc., a property restoration company. Her professional background includes 20 years in AEC, with 10 years focused on restoration. In addition to her marketing accreditations, she holds multiple certifications from FEMA and OSHA.