If your power strip isn’t long enough, you might be tempted to plug it into another one, creating a daisy chain of power strips. It may seem like good problem solving, but trust us, it isn’t. Doing so can end in disaster - it can cause one or more of the strips to fail or even catch on fire. For that reason, plugging two power strips together is against about half a dozen regulations in a professional setting.
This one may sound obvious, but many are still guilty of doing it from time to time. Every power strip has a load capacity, which means it can only move so much power through its circuits at any given time. Overloading the strip can create a fire hazard, melt the plastic, and damage your home as well as any surrounding equipment. If you’re not sure how much your power strip can take, try to calculate the amperage requirements of everything you’re going to plug into it.
Related: 12 Amazing Fire Safety Tips
As electricity moves, the electrons can generate heat. If the power strip is in an enclosed space, under the rug, for example, this accumulation can create a fire hazard. Moreover, if you accidentally step on the power strip or any of the attached power cables because they’re out of sight, you can damage them or worse, get an electric shock.
Appliances like hairdryers, curling irons, hair straighteners, and other beauty tools all work by generating heat, and in order to be able to do it, they draw quite a bit of amperage. Power strips aren’t designed to generate that kind of consistently high amperage, so such beauty tools should be plugged into an outlet.
There are certain power strips that are designed for use outdoors. Unless the label specifically states it, do not try to use a regular power strip outside, it’s not designed to stand up to weather and water. Keep it indoors and find one suitable for the elements.
Related: 9 Dangerous House Smells You Should Never Ignore
Knowing a power strip should never get wet is common sense, electricity and water do not mix. A mistake some might make without realizing is using a power strip in an environment that might become damp, like a basement. Another thing that might lead to a water-related accident is plugging your sump pump into a power strip. Better go with an outlet that’s well above floor level in case the sump pump fails and flooding occurs.
Coffee makers, microwaves, and toasters - all of those modern cooking miracles that make our lives easy should never be plugged into a power strip. Just like hair care appliances, kitchen devices usually generate heat. The coffee maker needs to produce enough heat to turn those beans into liquid, not to mention all the energy a microwave needs to thaw, reheat, and speedily cook food. A power strip just can’t provide this amount of energy, thus these appliances need their own dedicated power outlets.
Share these important safety tips with friends and family
12 Things That Should NEVER Be Stored In the Attic
Stashing things in the attic may make your home seem organized, but it may render some items completely unusable.
5 Ways You Might Be Attracting Termites to Your Home
A termite infestation is unpleasant, to say the least. Here are 5 ways you could be attracting these destructive bugs into your home.
Neglecting to Clean These Items Can Be DANGEROUS
These items in your home have to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, they can become a real fire hazard!
Cleaning Tips: Keep the Dish Soap AWAY From These Things
While dish soap can be very efficient for certain cleaning tasks, there are materials you should never clean with dish soap, or you risk damaging them.
There is a Way to Stop The Flood of Pesky Junk Mail
Insurance offers, catalogs, flyers - we all receive junk mail, and lots of it. But why does that happen and how can we stop, or at least reduce it?
Be Aware of These 10 Unexpected Hazards Around the House
Everyday items like mirrors and exercise equipment cause a great number of injuries every year. Here are 10 households hazards to be aware of.
The Egg Secret Tips You Never Knew...
This video shows you some of the best egg life hacks you never knew you needed, but now you'll see them - use all the time!
14 Surprising Foods You Can Indulge Without Gaining Weight
Here are 14 nutritious foods you can eat as much as you want without feeling guilty or afraid that you’ll gain weight. Enjoy!
10 Great Skin & Hair Treatments You Can Make with a Cucumber
Cucumbers have a whole range of benefits for your skin and hair. Here are some cheap and simple products that really work, and you can make them all at home.
Professional Chefs Swear by These Clever Cooking Hacks
We can all probably agree that one cannot possibly know too many cooking hacks, as these clever little hints always help us save precious time!
The Best Natural Methods to Controlling Excess Sweat
While sweating can be good for you, sometimes it can be embarrassing and cause a foul odor. Discover natural ways to prevent excess sweating.
Cutting These Things In Half Did Wonders For My Wallet...
Cutting the amount of certain things you use in half is an excellent exercise in frugality. Furthermore, you'll save money. Here are 10 things to cut in half.
Why Your Consumer Brand Loyalty Can Backfire
It happens to all the consumer goods you can imagine...
10 Tips for Cleaning With Salt - Number 8 is My Favorite..
Salt can be found in every home, but besides for cooking, it is efficient and useful for cleaning. Here are 10 effective ways to use salt for cleaning.
The DO'S and DON'TS of Gardening During the Heat
As the temperatures soar, make sure you don’t commit these to your garden.
Our Complete Guide to Peeling Fruits and Vegetables!
Each fruit and vegetable has a different way of being effectively peeled. Our guide will teach you the very best methods!
Has There Ever Been a Substance As Useful As This?
Vinegar has so many different uses around the house! You should always have a bottle of it handy.
These Natural Cleaning Solutions Will Remove Anything!
Who would have thought that countless chores around your home can be tackled with these easy, natural cleaning solutions?
Replace These Popular Drinks With These Healthier Ones!
The most popular cocktails contain alcohol and a lot of calories. Thankfully there are healthier cocktail alternatives. Take a look! The most popular cocktails contain alcohol and a lot of calories.
These Fun Games Will Help Boost Your Memory
Seniors will benefit greatly by playing these memory-enhancing games. Oh, and they are fun!
A Few Tips for Restoring Order to Your Household
Some of the best home tips
Keep Your Bananas Fresh Much Longer With These Hacks
Don't want your bananas to ripen too fast? These tips will help keep them fresh and flavorful for longer.
Salt Has Many More Uses & Benefits Than You Ever Imagined
Salt has been in use for thousands of years, and also happens to have thousands of uses. Here's a selection of them that you probably weren't aware of before.
Imitation Foods Aren’t All Bad – Here Are 6 Safe Options
Imitation foods aren’t always bad. Some of them are actually good, while some are avoidable.
In Case of an Emergency, Keep These 14 Things In Mind
These are essential items for your family emergency kid recommended by the American Red Cross and FEMA which will help protect yourself and your family during an emergency.
Spend the Money on These Items and They'll Last a Lifetime
There are certain items that we shouldn't be afraid of spending a bit more on, and this is because paying for quality will ensure they last us a lifetime.
This Short Grilling Tip Will Make Your Food Taste Better
Learn the best type of smoke for your grill and how to create it at home.
You Can Use Windex For MUCH More Than Just Windows
First invented in the 1930s, Windex is a potent solution that can be used for so much more than what it was originally intended for, as this list proves.
10 Simple Solutions to Removing Paint Stains From Clothes
Got paint stains on your clothes but not sure how to remove them? Here's what to do.
How to Become Wiser in 6 Simple Steps
Intelligence is something, some say, we are born with. On the other hand, wisdom, which is far more useful, is definitely something one can accumulate over a lifetime. Many search for ways to become wise, but few feel they have really achieved it. Ch
WD-40 Has So Many Uses I Can Hardly Believe It!
If you think WD-40 has only one use, you'll be utterly delighted by this list of 11 other uses.
Before You Buy: 8 Important Tips When Buying New Clothes
In this article, we'll discuss the difference between natural and synthetic fabrics as well as 9 essential tips for evaluating the quality and comfort of fabrics.
Why You Shouldn’t Keep a Bar Soap for More Than 2 Years
The following 10 personal hygiene products all expire sooner than you’d think and you must replace them regularly
35 Cooking Hacks That'll Make Your Life a Whole Lot Easier
These 35 cooking hacks will make your life in the kitchen a whole lot easier.
Struggling with Sleep? These YouTube Channels Can Help
The next time you struggle with sleep, try these YouTube channels.
The Way We Were - Shocking Ads from the 1950s
This series of advertisements from the 1950s is more than just your regular nostalgia. Look at these ads and be amazed with all the progress women have made!
Exploring the Fascinating History of Popcorn!
exploring the history and evolution of this irresistible snack - popcorn!
How to Help Prepare for a Snow Storm – 11 Vital Steps
Don't let a winter storm take you by surprise. Prepare with these important steps.
Here's One Really Cheap & Easy Way to Clean a Stovetop
Looking for an effortless and cost-effective way of cleaning your stovetop? Then you've come to the right place.
Dermatologist Shares Tips on Applying Makeup to Aging Skin
As we age, our skin changes and with it, the way we apply our makeup. Learn some tips on how to do this from dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey.
7 Myths About Burning Calories
Burning calories is something we all want, but we need to know what we're doing first, and that means disproving these 7 common but misguided myths about calorie burning.
WATCH: 10 Amazing Life-Hacks You Wish You Knew Years Ago
If there were only 10 life-hacks you needed to learn, these would be them.
Psst! Here Are Some Clothes' Tips Few Know About...
These tips will allow you to keep your clothes in as good a condition as new!
A Word from Warren Buffett: Investing for Beginners
Unpack the genius of Buffet's philosophy and get a chance to understand the financial world through his eyes. Tune in, absorb, and let your financial journey flourish.
How to Make Sure No Spider Enters Your Home
Tired of 8 legged monstrosities roaming your house? It's time to put a stop to it, the natural way.
9 Ingredients It's Best to Avoid When Grocery Shopping
Stay healthy by making sure that these 9 ingredients are not part of the food you buy.
9 Ways of Telling Branded Perfume From a Fake
Do you know how to tell a branded perfume from a fake? Well, you're going to be able to after you read these 9 handy tips.