As we rely more and more on electricity in our daily lives, it’s hard to imagine a day without it. From charging our phones to powering our entertainment setups, we often use power strips to accommodate all our devices. However, what many people don’t realize is that some appliances can be dangerous fire hazards when plugged into a power strip.
Power strips are great for small electronics, but they are not designed to handle high-wattage appliances like air conditioners, space heaters, toasters, and others. These devices can easily cause power strips to overheat, leading to potential fire hazards. It’s crucial to be aware of this to keep our homes safe.
Appliances You Should Never Plug into a Power Strip
Here’s a list of appliances that should never be plugged into a power strip:
- The Oven: The oven requires a lot of power and should always be plugged into its own wall outlet on its own circuit. Plugging it into a power strip can lead to issues.
- Refrigerator: Refrigerators cycle on and off frequently, requiring a significant amount of power. Plugging them into a power strip can overload it and cause damage. It’s best to have a dedicated wall outlet for refrigerators.
- Washing Machine: Washing machines consume a substantial amount of power, especially when turned on. To ensure safety, they should not share a receptacle with any other appliance or device. Most washing machines use up to 1400 watts of power, which is dangerously close to the maximum load of most power strips. Additionally, washing machines are often left unattended for extended periods, giving power strips more time to overheat.
- Heating: Portable heaters should never be plugged into a power strip. They use a significant amount of energy, especially when on their high setting, and generally run for extended periods. It’s safer to plug them directly into a wall outlet.
- Microwave: Microwaves consume a lot of energy when in use. To prevent overload and potential hazards, it’s always a good practice to plug them into their dedicated receptacles.
- Coffee Maker: Many coffee maker users are unaware of the power these appliances consume. To prevent any issues, they should never be plugged into power strips or extension cords. It’s best to plug them directly into a wall outlet.
- Toaster: Contrary to popular belief, toasters actually use a considerable amount of energy when in use. To avoid any issues, it’s recommended to plug toasters directly into a receptacle instead of a power strip.
- Another Power Strip: It’s important to note that power strips are not designed to be used with each other. Connecting one power strip to another can lead to overloading the electrical system and violates safety codes.
- Electronics (Computer, TV, Router): While these electronic devices may not consume a lot of power individually, they are sensitive to power surges. To protect them from potential damage, it’s advisable to plug them into a power strip that also functions as a surge protector.
By being mindful of the appliances that should never be plugged into power strips, we can ensure the safety of our homes and the longevity of our devices. Share this article with your family and friends to raise awareness and keep our homes safe.
