Expert warns 20+ things you should never even consider plugging into a power strip

Sometimes we just don’t have enough outlets and need to use power strips. But there are items that just aren’t safe to plug into them and may pose a hazard to your home. Let’s begin with:

Refrigerators

Large appliances like refrigerators draw a lot of power and often cycle on and off, which can overload a power strip. They should be plugged directly into a wall outlet dedicated solely to powering the appliance. Trying to plug additional appliances into the same outlet can trip the circuit.

Microwaves

Microwaves are amazing for quickly preparing, thawing, cooking, and reheating food, but they require more energy than a power strip can handle. Like a conventional oven, microwaves should have their own dedicated power outlet.

Coffee Makers

You might not realize it, but your morning cup of coffee requires a fair amount of energy to brew. Most coffee makers need quite a bit of amperage to turn those roasted beans into a hot beverage. Make sure to plug your coffee maker directly into the outlet to avoid waking up to a half-brewed pot of coffee.

Toasters

If you’ve ever peeked into a toaster to remove a stubborn piece of crust, you know it’s basically a bunch of wires that heat up to red-hot temperatures to toast the bread. The current draw needed for this can easily cause a power strip to overheat. This same issue affects toaster ovens, electric skillets, and waffle makers.

Slow Cookers

You might think you’re being clever by plugging your slow cooker into a power strip to free up outlet space, but you’d be mistaken. These cooking appliances require more power over an extended period than a power strip can handle. Since the appeal of a slow cooker is its ability to operate without supervision, it’s important to plug it into a wall outlet for safety.

Hair-Care Appliances

Hair dryers, curling wands, and flat irons require a lot of electricity to operate. To prevent tripping the circuit breaker, any heat-operated hairdressing accessory should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. It’s best to use a GFCI outlet to avoid the risk of accidental water exposure, which is common in bathrooms.

Air Conditioners

Similar to heaters, portable air conditioners are designed to cycle on and off, drawing a large amount of current when they start up. This can overload a power strip, potentially tripping the circuit breaker or causing dangerous overheating. Therefore, these appliances should always be plugged into a dedicated outlet.

Sump Pumps

A sump pump is often the last defense for a dry basement during flooding. Since most power strips aren’t designed for damp or wet conditions, they’re unsuitable for use with a sump pump. Instead, plug a sump pump into a GFCI outlet, preferably installed a few feet above the floor in case of basement flooding.

Air Compressors

Portable air compressors are great tools for ambitious DIYers, but they draw a huge amount of energy when starting up. Instead of overloading a power strip, use a heavy-duty extension cord to maximize the use and benefit of your air tools.

Another Power Strip

Using multiple power strips together, also known as “daisy-chaining,” violates most fire safety codes and can overload your electrical system. Avoid using extension cords with power strips for the same reason. If you’re short on outlets, try unplugging one device before plugging in another, or find power-free alternatives for your household gadgets.

Blenders

Even though an appliance may be small, it’s not necessarily safe to plug it into a power strip. Many blenders, including those from Ninja and Vitamix, have powerful motors for chopping tough foods and can use up to 1500 watts, similar to space heaters, toasters, and air conditioners. Additionally, since blenders are meant to liquify foods, there’s a risk of liquid getting on the power strip, causing it to short circuit. Always plug a blender directly into a kitchen GFCI outlet.

Washing Machine

Most washing machines use up to 1400 watts, which is dangerously close to the maximum load of many power strips. Since washing machines are typically left unattended during their cycles, which can last an hour or more, there’s ample time for them to overheat a power strip. Instead of using a power strip, plug your washing machine directly into its intended wall outlet.

Portable Heaters

Most portable heaters consume 1,500 watts of energy on their high settings and pose a significant danger when plugged into power strips, particularly because they often operate for extended periods. Although portable heaters have built-in safety features that shut off the unit if it overheats, this won’t prevent the power strip from overheating and potentially causing a fire.

Power Tools

You can safely use a power strip for power tools in your workshop, but it’s crucial to choose the right one. Opt for a 220-volt power strip with grounded outlets and heavier 14-gauge wire between the strip and the plug. This ensures it can carry a greater load without overheating. Using a higher-rated power strip is especially important for electric tools with higher wattages, like table saws, circular saws, and chop saws.

Gaming Equipment

It’s fine to use a power strip for your gaming system, but be mindful of how many components you’re plugging in. While your gaming computer may draw about 500 watts, you’ll also need to plug in a monitor, speakers, lamps, and other accessories. Add up the wattage by checking the stickers on each device and ensure the total is less than the power strip’s wattage rating. For added protection against power surges, opt for a power strip that doubles as a surge protector.

Electric Kettles

Electric kettles heat water to boiling temperatures rapidly, requiring a lot of energy in a short time. This intense power draw can overwhelm a power strip, leading to overheating or even fire hazards. It’s best to plug them directly into a wall outlet to handle their electrical demands safely.

Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers operate continuously and can pull a significant amount of electricity, similar to air conditioning units. Using them with a power strip can lead to power overload and risk of fire. Additionally, the moist environment typically required for dehumidifier use adds an extra risk when combined with electrical strips.

Freezers

Freezers require stable power supply due to their on-off cycling to maintain temperatures. Plugging them into a power strip can disrupt this cycle and cause damage to the appliance or create electrical hazards. Always use a dedicated wall outlet for such heavy appliances.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers combine heating elements and motors that draw large amounts of power for cleaning dishes. This combination can easily exceed the limitations of a power strip and potentially trip breakers or cause fires. A direct connection to a home’s electrical system is advised.

Deep Fryers

Deep fryers heat a large quantity of cooking oil to high temperatures which requires substantial electrical power. The risk of overheating a power strip and the potential for oil splatter near electrical devices makes direct wall outlet usage a safer choice.

Induction Cooktops

Induction cooktops require a large amount of electricity to create the electromagnetic field that cooks food. This high power requirement can be too much for a power strip to handle, risking electrical overload and potential hazards.

Home Theater Systems

Home theater systems often involve multiple components such as speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers that can collectively draw more power than a power strip can handle. Overloading can lead to system damage or electrical fires.

Large Printers or Copiers

These office machines often draw a significant amount of power during operation, especially when heating up. Plugging them into a power strip can overload the circuit, leading to performance issues or electrical risks.

Hot Plates

Used for cooking, hot plates can draw as much power as larger kitchen appliances and are known for their high electrical demands. This makes them unsuitable for power strips, as they can easily cause overheating and electrical hazards.

Electric Grills

Electric grills, like other high-power cooking devices, require substantial amounts of electricity to operate their heating elements. Connecting them to a power strip is unsafe due to the high risk of exceeding the power strip’s capacity.

Steam Irons

The combination of heat and steam in steam irons requires a lot of power, which can lead to power strips overheating. It’s safer to plug them directly into a wall outlet to avoid the risk of electrical fires.

Treadmills

Treadmills and other heavy-duty exercise equipment have motors that draw a lot of power, especially at higher speeds. Plugging them into a power strip is not recommended due to the risk of overloading and potentially damaging both the equipment and electrical system.

Aquarium Heaters

These devices need to run continuously to maintain proper water temperatures. The continuous power demand and proximity to water increase the risk of short circuits when used with power strips. For safety, it’s best to plug aquarium heaters directly into GFCI outlets.

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bob vila

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