Extension Cord Safety – Acushnet, MA 02743

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

The holidays have officially arrived, and with them comes decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever it is you may celebrate! Even with this time of the year being the most magical, fire damage can still affect each and every one of us if we’re not careful.

The Christmas Season typically brings an up rise in the number of extension cords used in a home. While extension cords are a great way to shorten the gap between an appliance’s cord and the wall’s outlet, they can become extremely dangerous if not used correctly. Below you’ll find ways to safely utilize extension cords in your family’s home this holiday season.

• Do not overload extension cords or allow them to run through water or snow on the ground.
• Do not substitute extension cords for permanent wiring.
• Do not run through walls, doorways, ceilings or floors. If cord is covered, heat cannot escape, which may result in a fire hazard.
• Do not use an extension cord for more than one appliance.
• A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed where you need them.
• Multiple plug outlets must be plugged directly into mounted electrical receptacles; they cannot be chained together.
• Make sure the extension cord or temporary power strip you use is rated for the products to be plugged in, and is marked for either indoor or outdoor use.
• The appliance or tool that you are using the cord with will have a wattage rating on it. Match this up with your extension cord, and do not use a cord that has a lower rating.
• Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way. Touching even a single exposed strand can give you an electric shock or burn.
• Never use three-prong plugs with outlets that only have two slots for the plug. Do not cut off the ground pin to force a fit. This defeats the purpose of a three-prong plug and could lead to an electrical shock. Never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn’t fit.
• Use extension cords with polarized and/or three-prong plugs.
• Buy only cords approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), ETL-SEMKO (ETL) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

*Electrical Cord Safety Tips courtesy of Electrical Safety Foundation International