When we think about life before electricity, it’s hard to imagine how people managed without it. Today, electricity powers nearly everything in our homes—from phones and laptops to kitchen appliances and heaters.

However, despite the importance of electricity, many homes don’t have enough wall outlets to accommodate all our devices. This is why power strips have become a household staple. They’re perfect for charging phones or powering entertainment systems, but not all appliances are safe to plug into them.

In fact, plugging high-wattage appliances into power strips can be dangerous, as these devices can cause the strips to overheat and potentially start fires.

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Why Some Appliances Should Avoid Power Strips

Every power strip has a maximum power rating, often listed on the device itself, indicating how much current it can safely handle. High-capacity appliances require a lot of power through an electrical circuit to operate correctly.

Keep in mind that size doesn’t always equal power consumption; some small devices draw more electricity than you might expect.

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Appliances to Never Plug Into a Power Strip

1. Oven:
   Even though ovens aren’t used continuously, they consume a large amount of power. They should always be plugged into a dedicated wall outlet connected to their own circuit.

2. Refrigerator:
   Refrigerators cycle on and off regularly and require a stable power source. Plugging them into power strips risks overload and damage, so they need a dedicated wall outlet.

3. Washing Machine:
   Washing machines can draw up to 1400 watts, nearly reaching the maximum load for many power strips. Since they often run unattended for long periods, they should never share a receptacle with other devices.

4. Portable Heaters:
   Many portable heaters use around 1500 watts and run for extended times. They should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet to avoid overheating the power strip.

5. Microwave:
   Microwaves consume a significant amount of electricity. It’s best practice to plug them into their own dedicated outlet.

6. Coffee Maker:
   Coffee makers use more power than most people realize and should never be plugged into power strips or extension cords.

7. Toaster:
   Toasters may seem small, but they use a lot of energy when in operation. Plug them directly into a wall socket for safety.

8. Another Power Strip:
   Daisy-chaining power strips (plugging one power strip into another) is a major safety hazard and violates electrical codes. This practice greatly increases the risk of overloading and fire.

9. Sensitive Electronics (Computers, TVs, Routers):
   While these devices don’t consume huge amounts of power, they are sensitive to electrical surges. Use a surge protector power strip specifically designed to protect these devices from damage.

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Final Tips

• Always check the power rating of your power strips and appliances.

• Use dedicated outlets for high-wattage appliances.

• Avoid overloading your electrical circuits by spreading out the use of heavy appliances.

• Consider surge protectors for sensitive electronics to protect against power spikes.

By following these guidelines, you can keep your home safe and avoid the fire hazards associated with improper use of power strips.