Electrical Cord Safety 101
In addition to keeping cords out of sight, electrical cords should be kept from underfoot to prevent tripping. They should always be kept in good condition so they don’t become fire hazards. Here are some tips on electrical cord safety from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Electrical Safety Foundation International.
- Keep unprotected electrical cords and furniture out of the path of foot traffic to prevent fraying, overheating, and tripping.
- Never run an electrical cord under a rug. The cord’s heat will not be able to escape, and it could lead to a fire.
- Don’t leave electrical cords dangling anywhere where they can be pulled down and tripped over.
- Make sure electrical cords are not crimped or pressured, and don’t force them into small spaces or behind furniture. Over time, this could lead to a breakdown of the cord’s insulation. When using cord-bundling devices, such as Cable Turtles or plastic spiral wire wrap, avoid cramming too many cords together—keep them loose.
- Never use staples or nails to attach electrical cords or cord bundlers to a surface, such as a baseboard or wall. They could puncture the insulation and create a shock or fire hazard.
- Don’t overload outlets or extension cords with too many appliances or appliances with too much wattage (space heaters or microwave ovens, for example). Check the maximum capacity of an extension cord, and make sure you don’t exceed its rating.
- Don’t use an adapter to get an extension cord with a three-prong plug into a two-prong outlet.
- Don’t plug extension cords together. Instead, use one long enough for your task.
- Don’t use an extension cord to plug in a power strip. Instead, buy a power strip with a longer electrical cord.
- If a cord is hot to the touch, do not use it!
How to Hang Holiday Decorations without Starting a Fire
The festive season is officially in full swing, so lighting displays are, too. Whether you’re decking the halls with a Charlie Brown Christmas tree or a light show to end all light shows, there are plenty of ways to show your cheer! But with holiday decorations starting an average of 780 home fires per year, it’s important to keep electrical cord safety in mind while on your hot chocolate-induced caffeine high.
“Know Electrical Cord Safety” was originally published by Sarah Engler on RealSimple.com on August 17, 2014.
“How to Hang Holiday Decorations” was initially published on December 13, 2019, by Jenna Careri, SaveOnEnergy.com.
Holiday Fire Safety Facts are on the National Fire Protection Association’s website.