Plug in to safety: Extension cord use — at home, at work, at play
Convenience or necessity — extension cords are ubiquitous. They’re so easy to use that we rarely think about the hazards of using them.
Before you reach for that cord, do you think about how it’s going to be used? Do you check out the rating to confirm that it can handle the wattage for the product that will be plugged in? In fact, do you think of anything but “I need to plug something in right now; where is that extension cord?”
Here’s a reality check: Misused extension cords create fire and electric shock hazards anywhere — home, office or dorm room. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has this reminder: “Electricity is a powerful and useful energy source that also must be treated with respect and extreme caution.”
Extension cords are designed for temporary use, not to fill in for permanent electrical wiring. They can deteriorate at a more rapid rate when used continuously.
Here are some tips on using extension cords safely:
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Use the right extension cord for the situation:
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Polarized extension cords with polarized appliances
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Three-wire extension cords for appliances with three-prong plugs (Never remove the third — round or U-shaped — prong. It’s a safety feature designed to reduce the risk of shock and electrocution), and
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Special, heavy-duty extension cords for high-wattage appliances such as air conditioners, portable electric heaters and freezers.
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Make sure the rating on the cord is the same as or higher than the number of watts needed by the product(s) to be plugged into the cord.
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Don’t overload an extension cord; i.e., when the appliances you plug in draw more watts than the cord’s rating. If the rating is exceeded, either replace the cord with one that has a higher rating or unplug some of the appliances.
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Check the cord’s plug and the body while the extension cord is in use. Warming of its plastic parts is expected when cords are being used at their maximum rating. Hot cords or softening plastic are warnings that the plug wires or connections are failing and that the extension cord should be discarded and replaced.
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Never use an extension cord while it is coiled or looped.
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Never cover any part of an extension cord with newspapers, clothing, rugs or any objects while the cord is in use.
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Never place an extension cord where it might be damaged by furniture or foot traffic.
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If furniture or beds push against an extension cord where the cord joins the plug, use a special "angle extension cord," which is specifically designed for these instances.
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Don't use staples or nails to attach extension cords to any surface.
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Make sure cords don’t dangle from a counter or table top, where they can be pulled down or tripped over.
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Replace old or small-gauge and cracked or worn extension cords with new #16 gauge cords that have the listing of a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
Use your common sense:
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Insert plugs fully so that no parts of the prongs are exposed when the extension cord is in use, and
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When disconnecting cords, pull the plug rather than the cord itself.
For more information on the safe use of extension cords, visit the following web sites: www.electrical-safety.org for the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI); www.cpsc.gov for the Consumer Product Safety Commission and www.usfa.fema.gov for the U.S. Fire Administration; or contact Risk Management at 215-204-1674. If you have other health and safety questions, concerns and/or suggestions, please contact the Health and Safety Committee at healthandsafety@temple.edu.