Firefighters warn: Power strip misuse could spark home fires
Did you know improperly connecting electrical and electronic devices can pose a fire hazard? Firefighters warn against the misuse of power strips in our homes. They explain what to do to avoid tragedy and unnecessary expenses.
3:46 PM EDT, October 31, 2024
Power strips improve convenience in the home. They make it easier to connect electrical and electronic devices. Unfortunately, improper use carries a very serious risk of fire.
Sometimes, many high power-consuming devices are connected to a single power strip. Other times, one device alone can overload the system. This kind of connection can lead to a short circuit, resulting in a power outage and, occasionally, even a fire.
Which devices should absolutely not be connected to power strips? This includes ovens, washing machines, heaters, microwaves, coffee makers, and toasters. These devices have high power consumption. Power strips are not designed to handle such a large load and can quickly become damaged.
Firefighters recommend that ovens or refrigerators be plugged directly into an electrical outlet, without using any intermediaries, not even extension cords.
How to calculate the load on a power strip? There's a simple way
It turns out that power strips should not be overloaded with even smaller appliances. Firefighters indicate that there is a simple way to check if a power strip is suitable for use with specific devices.
Simply check how much power the power strip can handle. This information usually appears on the power strip's casing. Then, add up the power needs of each device, such as a computer, phone charger, and vacuum cleaner.
The final result should be compared with the power strip's specifications. If the total power requirement is lower than the power strip's capacity (with some extra cushion), it can be safely used.
