Stay Safe With Power Strips By Avoiding These 3 Big No-Nos

As someone who is always juggling multiple gadgets and appliances at home, I've learned a thing or two about power strips. They're great because they're incredibly handy, but not everything should be plugged into them.

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Bob Vila shared an article that opened my eyes. I found myself guilty of doing several things wrong. Let me share with you a few things I've learned should never be plugged into a power strip.

LOOK: STAY SAFE WITH POWER STRIPS BY AVOIDING THESE 3 BIG NO-NOS

First up, major appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and space heaters are a big no-no. These draw a lot of power and can easily overload a power strip, leading to potential fire hazards. I remember the time I thought I could temporarily plug my fridge into a power strip during a kitchen rearrangement. Boy, was I wrong. The power strip couldn't handle the load, and it tripped the circuit breaker. I learned a lesson. These heavy-duty type appliances should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet.

Another thing to avoid plugging into power strips is high-powered kitchen appliances like toasters and coffee makers. These gadgets heat up in a hurry and draw a lot of electricity. I once had a buddy who plugged his coffee maker into a power strip with several other devices. Not only did it trip the circuit, but it ruined the power strip. Always plug these directly into the wall.

Finally, don't daisy chain power strips - that's plugging one power strip into another. It's done in places where outlets are scarce, but it's incredibly dangerous. It can overload the circuit and even cause an electrical fire. Just use one power strip per outlet and never plug them into each other.

While power strips are convenient, they're not suitable for everything. Avoid plugging high-power appliances and kitchen gadgets into power strips, and never daisy chain power strips. Keep your home safe and your electronics running smoothly. Safety first when it comes to electricity.