Power strips are convenient, but they aren’t designed to handle high-power appliances or devices with heavy electrical loads. Plugging the wrong items into a power strip can cause overheating, electrical fires, or even damage your devices. Here are some things you should never plug into a power strip:
1. Large Kitchen Appliances
- Refrigerators & Freezers – They require a constant, high power draw, which can overload the power strip.
- Microwaves – They pull a lot of power quickly and can easily cause overheating.
- Coffee Makers & Toasters – Heating elements draw significant power and should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
2. Heating Devices
- Space Heaters – These use a lot of energy and can cause the power strip to overheat.
- Hair Dryers & Curling Irons – They generate high heat and need direct wall connections for safety.
- Electric Kettles – Their sudden high power demand can overload the strip.
3. High-Powered Electronics
- Gaming Consoles & PCs – While small devices like phone chargers are fine, a gaming PC or console can pull too much power.
- Laser Printers – They have a high initial power draw and should be on a dedicated circuit.
- Air Conditioners – These require a dedicated outlet due to their heavy power use.
4. Medical Equipment
- CPAP Machines – These must have a stable power source; power strips can fail unexpectedly.
- Oxygen Concentrators – Unstable power can cause malfunctions, so they should be plugged directly into the wall.
5. Other Risky Items
- Extension Cords – Never plug an extension cord into a power strip, as it increases the risk of overheating.
- Power Strips into Power Strips (“Daisy-Chaining”) – This creates a fire hazard due to excessive power draw.
What You Can Safely Plug Into a Power Strip
✔️ Phone chargers
✔️ Lamps
✔️ Small fans
✔️ Laptops
For anything high-powered, always plug it directly into a wall outlet. Safety first! 🔥⚡
