90% of People Using Power Strips Make These Mistakes, and Hidden Fire/Explosion Hazards Lurk When You Least Expect It

Power strips are everywhere, but have you made any of these common mistakes?

Today, it’s hard to imagine life without electricity—and frankly, no home is designed with enough wall outlets for every electrical device. That’s why we rely on power strips to expand our electrical capacity, turning one outlet into six or more. However, there are several critical safety rules when using power strips that we unwittingly violate every day. Let’s take a look:

1. Plugging One Power Strip into Another

Sometimes, when one power strip isn’t long enough or you need extra outlets, we “chain” several power strips together by plugging one into another. In short—never do this! Not only does this practice violate basic electrical safety guidelines, but it can also damage one or more power strips or even cause a fire.

2. Using an Indoor Power Strip Outdoors

Not all power strips are designed for outdoor use unless their packaging explicitly states they’re weather- and water-resistant. If you’re using a standard indoor power strip, keep it inside and purchase a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated model for safe use outside.

3. Overloading a Low-Capacity Power Strip

Every power strip has a maximum load capacity, meaning it can only handle a specific amount of power at any given time. When overloaded, a power strip can melt, damage your property and connected devices, and even spark a fire. If you’re concerned about overloading, take a moment to calculate the total wattage of all devices plugged in—or consider a power strip with individual switches for each outlet.

4. Covering the Power Strip with Other Objects

When electricity flows through wires, electrons generate heat. Normally, this isn’t a problem, but if your power strip is covered by a rug or enclosed in a confined space that restricts heat dissipation, it can become a fire hazard. Additionally, if someone steps on it accidentally, you risk damaging both the power strip and the devices connected to it—and you might even get shocked. Always ensure that your power strip is placed in a well-ventilated area.

5. Plugging High-Power Beauty Devices into the Same Power Strip

Devices like hair dryers, curling irons, straighteners, and other beauty appliances generate a lot of heat and draw high current. Standard power strips aren’t designed to handle such heavy loads, so it’s best to plug these directly into wall outlets—preferably those protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).

6. Continuing to Use a Damaged Power Strip

You might have seen power strips with one or more charred outlets that are still in use, as if nothing happened. Don’t do that! A burnt outlet likely indicates internal damage in the power strip or its wiring. Continuing to use a damaged power strip increases the risk of fire or electric shock.

7. Letting a Power Strip Get Wet

It’s common knowledge that electrical devices should never get wet—but in practice, power strip-related water incidents occur frequently. Electricity and water must never mix. Never allow your power strip or any electrical device to get wet, as doing so greatly increases the risk of electric shock or a fire.

8. Placing Power Strips Where Small Chil.dren Can Reach Them

There are heartbreaking stories of chil.dren inserting their fingers, toys, or utensils into electrical outlets (both wall outlets and power strips). Never assume that chil.dren fully understand the dangers of electricity. Always educate them to stay away from outlets, install protective outlet covers on ALL wall outlets and power strips, and never leave power strips in areas where small chil.dren can easily access them—they might mistake them for toys.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can help safeguard your home, protect your devices, and most importantly, ensure the safety of your family.