Don’t Plug These In to a Power Strip Over The Holidays

5 Things You Should Avoid Plugging into a Power Strip Over the Holidays

The holiday season brings a festive buzz to our homes, with twinkling lights, a myriad of food, and fun family gatherings. Another buzz that comes during the holidays is our electric bill going up. We find ourselves plugging in multiple items in ways we would never do during the normal parts of the year. Power strips are typically the go to solution for keeping everything plugged in but overloading them or using them improperly can lead to serious safety risks which includes electrical fires. Dr. Aaron Workman, a part of the Chambers Medical Group team, one of the highest rated car accident medical care establishments in Kentucky, discusses 5 things you should avoid plugging into a power strip to ensure your home stays safe this holiday.

1. Space Heaters

Space heaters are a great way to add warmth to cold rooms during the winter months. However, they consume a significant amount of power, often too much for a standard power strip to handle safely. Plugging a space heater into a power strip can cause overheating, melting, or even a fire. Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet and make sure the area around them is safe for heating. If you trip a breaker, you know that item needs to be placed on an entirely new circuit.

2. Large Kitchen Appliances

Holiday feasts often mean extra cooking, which requires additional appliances like slow cookers, roasting pans, air fryers, and mixers. These devices draw a lot of power and should never share a power strip with other appliances. Overloading a power strip with high watt devices can trip breakers or cause the strip to overheat. If you touch the cord that is plugged in and it is hot, then you are overloading that power strip and need to unplug that appliance immediately. Instead, plug these directly into dedicated wall outlets to keep your kitchen running safely.

3. Too Many Christmas Lights

While a few strings of lights on a tree are typically safe, plugging multiple light strings into a single power strip can quickly add up to a problem. Overloading the strip can cause sparks and trip the fuse. Look for Christmas lights labeled with low energy usage and ensure they are spread across multiple outlets or connected to a surge protector designed for higher loads. Newer technologies utilizing LED lights are typically of lower energy use.

4. Extension Cords

Plugging an extension cord into a power strip is a common mistake. This is sometimes called the daisy chain and increases the chances of overheating and fires. Extension cords are a temporary type of product that are not a real solution for multiple higher-powered items. If you need more outlets, consider hiring a professional to install additional wall outlets instead of relying on extension cords.

5. Hairdryers and Curling Irons

When getting all dressed up for the holiday festivities you will typically see an increase in hair dryers and curling irons. These generate a good amount of heat and draw a higher amount of electricity making them a no go for power strips. Plugging these into a power strip also increases the risks of overheating and creating a fire hazard. Use a dedicated outlet for these and unplug them after use.

By being mindful of what you plug into power strips, especially during the busy holiday season, you can prevent electrical hazards and keep your home cozy, safe and festive. Take a moment this holiday season and walk around your home analyzing how your electrical items are plugged in. This activity could be a valuable lesson. Most of all, it can allow you to stay safe and enjoy the holidays with peace of mind!

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

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