{"id":3958,"date":"2025-11-26T00:25:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T00:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/?p=3958"},"modified":"2025-11-26T00:25:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T00:25:02","slug":"firefighters-warn-these-are-the-items-you-should-never-plug-into-a-power-strip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/?p=3958","title":{"rendered":"Firefighters Warn: These Are the Items You Should Never Plug Into a Power Strip"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Power strips are in almost every home\u2014under desks, behind TVs, next to the bed. And while they\u2019re convenient, firefighters and electrical safety experts warn that using them incorrectly can turn them into a serious fire hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year, thousands of electrical fires start because the wrong devices are plugged into power strips or overloaded extension cords. Many of these fires are preventable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the items you should <strong>never<\/strong> connect to a power strip \u2014 and the life-saving reasons why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Space Heaters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Space heaters draw a huge amount of power. Even newer, energy-efficient models can overload a power strip in seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why it\u2019s dangerous:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They pull more watts than most strips are designed to handle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A strip can melt, spark, or ignite before the breaker trips.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What to do instead:<\/strong><br>Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet\u2014never a strip or extension cord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Refrigerators &amp; Freezers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You might think it\u2019s harmless to plug a mini-fridge or spare freezer into a strip in the garage or dorm room\u2026 but fire departments strongly advise against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why it\u2019s dangerous:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fridges cycle on and off, causing sudden energy surges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This surge easily overloads a strip, especially older ones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Use a wall outlet only<\/strong>, and avoid daisy-chaining multiple appliances on the same circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Air Conditioners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Window AC units are one of the worst offenders. Their startup surge is extremely high, even for small units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Risks include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Overheating the strip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Melting insulation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electrical fires inside walls<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>AC units should always have their own dedicated outlet \u2014 ideally, their own circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Microwaves &amp; Toaster Ovens<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kitchen appliances that heat up are notorious for drawing heavy amounts of electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why experts warn against using power strips:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Their wattage spikes unpredictably<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They create sustained heat, which stresses wiring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They can cause multi-outlet strips to catch fire<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If it gets hot, it needs a wall outlet. Period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Hair Dryers, Curling Irons &amp; Straighteners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bathroom power strips may seem convenient, but firefighters say they\u2019re a recipe for disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>These devices:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Draw high wattage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heat up quickly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stress the thin wiring inside strips<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Plug them directly into a GFCI-protected bathroom outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Coffee Makers &amp; Electric Kettles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Anything with a heating element belongs <em>far<\/em> away from a power strip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>They can:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Overload circuits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Melt low-quality strips<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start fires under desks or kitchen counters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Use a wall outlet \u2014 preferably on its own circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Portable Washer\/Dryer Units<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>More common in apartments and dorms than people admit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These appliances are <strong>too powerful<\/strong> for any power strip and must be plugged directly into a properly grounded wall outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. High-Powered Gaming PCs &amp; Entertainment Systems<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern gaming rigs, 4K TVs, sound systems, and graphics cards consume more power than most people realize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dangers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Overloading cheaper strips<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Causing overheating under entertainment stands<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Damaging sensitive electronics during surges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Use a <strong>surge protector<\/strong> rated for high wattage \u2014 not a $5 power strip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. Medical Devices (CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For safety reasons, critical medical devices <strong>must<\/strong> be plugged into a reliable, grounded wall outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using a power strip risks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Overheating<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unexpected shutoff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Power loss during sleep or treatment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your life is worth more than convenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>General Rule: If It Creates Heat or Needs a Motor, It Doesn\u2019t Belong in a Power Strip<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Firefighters say this simple rule prevents most electrical fires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u201cHeating devices and motor-driven appliances should always go into a wall outlet \u2014 never a power strip.\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Power strips are meant for <strong>low-power electronics<\/strong> like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Phone chargers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Laptops<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lamps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Routers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clocks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And even then, only when the strip has proper surge protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Use Power Strips Safely<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714 Choose UL- or ETL-certified strips<br>\u2714 Replace old or frayed strips<br>\u2714 Avoid plugging multiple strips into each other<br>\u2714 Keep strips away from rugs and curtains<br>\u2714 Don\u2019t overload with multiple high-watt devices<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thought<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Electrical fires happen fast \u2014 often with little warning. Firefighters repeatedly emphasize that using power strips correctly can be the difference between a safe home and a preventable tragedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When in doubt, plug the device into a wall outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Safety first. Convenience second.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Power strips are in almost every home\u2014under desks, behind TVs, next to the bed. And while they\u2019re convenient,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3959,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3958"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3960,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3958\/revisions\/3960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/states-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}