Without our handy power strips, we would not be able to plug in all the gear we can’t live without. Those convenient blocks of electrical sockets allow us to convert one outlet into several, so we can plug in everything we need. A typical place for a power strip is in the home office, where it helps computers, speakers, printers, monitors, and all sorts of other necessities come to life. Many households have power strips in multiple rooms, if not every room, since so many things need to be plugged in today. Hairstyling tools, cooking equipment, and phone chargers are just a few examples.

Is it safe to assume you can use all outlets on a power strip if it has 10 outlets? Not necessarily.  In fact, many devastating house fires are due to power strips. Following are some power strip safety tips to protect your home and property:

10 things to take into account when using a power strip:

1. Make sure you know the circuit capacity of the main outlet you’re using, as well as the power requirements of the items you plan to plug into your power strip. If the power requirements exceed the circuit capacity, you’re overloading the circuit and causing a fire.
2. Unlike outlets in your wall, power strips don’t have wires designed to handle extended periods of use.
3. If the power strip feels warm or hot, unplug it and replace it immediately.
4. Covering a power strip or extension cord with anything such as a rug is dangerous.  Electricity generates heat, which needs to be dispersed.  If the cord is covered, the heat becomes trapped, increasing the risk of a fire.
5. Surge protectors, which are a feature of some power strips but not all, protect your electrical equipment (such as your computer) from damages in the event of a surge, but they do not prevent fires.
6. If you use too many power strips at home, you have too few outlets.  To prevent fires, install more outlets in your house and reduce your reliance on power strips.  A licensed electrician can install additional outlets and/or circuits for your home or business if you find yourself using too many power strips.
7. Do not “piggyback” or “daisy chain” power strips, which means that you should never plug one power strip into another.  This can cause a fire.
8. Standard power strips should not be used in moist environments, such as bathrooms, kitchen countertops, or unconditioned garages.  Water and power strips don’t mix, and if they do, may cause a fire.  If you must use a power strip in an area where moisture is likely, choose one that is specially designed to work in such an environment.  It is best to have a professional electrician hard wire a moisture-resistant power strip and mount it on the wall of your garage if you need one.
9. Outside, there are many hazards, including moist weather, falling debris, and even insects, all of which can compromise the safety of a power strip. In the same way as with garage power strips, outdoor power strips need to be mounted to a wall rather than left on the ground. Only outdoor power strips are appropriate for outdoor use.
10. Know what you are buying. UL (Underwriters Laboratory) or ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) certification is important when shopping for power strips; choose a power strip that is rated for the appropriate amount of amperage according to your needs. It is okay to choose a power strip with a higher amperage rating than you need-this will help you avoid an overload.

Do not wait and see what happens if you notice anything out of the ordinary with your power strip, such as a failure to work, but replace it as soon as possible.  In addition to power strips, some electronics recycling services collect USB cords, other materials and more, for green disposal.

For any questions about home insurance, call or contact Meixell – Diehl Insurance today.