Firefighters issue warning on power strip misuse and fire risks
Did you know that incorrect connection of electrical and electronic devices can pose a fire hazard? Firefighters warn against the improper use of power strips in our homes. They explain what to do to avoid tragedy and unnecessary expenses.
Power strips improve convenience at home. They make it easier to connect electrical and electronic devices. Unfortunately, their improper use carries a very serious risk of fire.
It happens that many devices with high power consumption or those that excessively burden the installation are connected to a single power strip. This kind of connection can lead to a short circuit, resulting in a power outage and sometimes even a fire.
What devices should absolutely not be connected to power strips? These include ovens, washing machines, heaters, microwaves, coffee makers, and toasters. These appliances are characterised by high power consumption. Power strips are not designed for such a high load and can quickly become damaged.
Firefighters recommend that ovens or refrigerators be plugged directly into an electrical outlet, without using any intermediaries - even in the form of extension cords.
How to calculate the load on a power strip? There's a simple way
It turns out that a power strip should not be overloaded even with smaller electrical and electronic devices. Firefighters point out that there is a simple way to check whether a power strip is suitable for use with specific devices.
You just need to check the power capacity the extension cord can handle. This information is usually found on the casing of the power strip. Then, you should add the power requirements of devices like a computer, phone charger, and vacuum cleaner.
The final result should be compared with the data from the power strip. If the total power demand is lower than the extension cord's capacity (with some extra buffer), you can confidently use it.
