Never Plug These 12 Things Into Your Power Strip

Power strips are great for turning a single outlet into several, but not all gadgets are power strip-friendly. In fact, plugging the wrong stuff into a power strip can lead to everything from annoying circuit breaks to serious safety hazards like fires.

To keep you and your devices safe, we’ve put together a list of 12 things that you should never plug into a power strip.

Another Power Strip

Tempting as it may be, stacking one power strip onto another—”daisy chaining”—is a big no-no. It sounds like a quick fix to shortage of outlets, but it actually breaches safety codes and seriously risks overloading your electrical system. Instead of piling on more power strips, a better strategy is to manage your devices more effectively. Consider unplugging items that aren’t in use to free up outlets safely.

Portable Air Conditioners

These units frequently cycle on and off, pulling a pretty hefty load of electricity each time they kick back on. This sudden surge can easily trip the circuit breaker of a power strip or worse—lead to overheating. That’s a serious fire hazard. Best to stick to plugging these directly into the wall to avoid any scary surprises.

Slow Cookers

Slow cookers are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it appliance, perfect for those long, slow cooks that make dishes deliciously tender. But even though they’re not huge power guzzlers, it’s not very wise to plug them into a power strip. Since you’ll likely leave your slow cooker unattended for hours, the continuous low heat can cause power strips to overheat. For peace of mind and safety, always connect your slow cooker directly to a wall outlet.

Sump Pump

In the throes of basement flooding, the last thing you want to gamble with is how you power your sump pump. Plugging it into a power strip? Not a good idea. Power strips typically have exposed outlets that shouldn’t mingle with moisture—a risky combo that can lead to electrocution. Instead, plug your sump pump directly into a GFCI outlet that’s clear of any water exposure.

Blender

Think of blenders as small but mighty power users in your kitchen. Regardless of their size, they pack a punch, consuming between 300 to 1000 watts when in action. That’s enough juice to put stress on a power strip, raising the risks of overheating or even tripping a circuit breaker.

Washing Machine

Your washing machine does a heavy-duty job and, accordingly, uses a hefty amount of electricity—somewhere in the range of 400 to 1300 watts. Plugging such a powerhouse into a power strip is a recipe for trouble, likely leading to tripped circuits and potential overheating, especially since wash cycles run while you’re out, busy with other things.

Toasters

Toasters pack a hefty electrical punch. They typically draw about 1200 watts during a 20-minute run—quite a load for a small appliance. Because of this high power usage, toasters and power strips don’t mix well. Plugging a toaster into a power strip can easily lead to a tripped circuit.

Microwaves

Microwaves are also high on the list of power-intensive appliances. Using about 1200 watts in just half an hour, they’re far too big for the limited capacity of a power strip. Whether you’re reheating leftovers or cooking a full meal, it’s important to plug your microwave directly into a wall outlet.

Portable Heaters

When it’s chilly, a portable heater seems like a quick fix to warm up your space, but don’t be tempted to plug it into a power strip. These heaters typically consume around 1500 watts—enough to overwhelm the strip and trip the circuit breaker. More importantly, the risk of overheating isn’t something to take lightly, as it can lead to dangerous situations.

Coffee Makers

Don’t underestimate the power needed to make that perfect cup of coffee. Coffee makers, especially during their brew cycle, can draw about 800 watts in just 20 minutes. Like other high-powered kitchen gadgets, coffee makers are too much for power strips, risking not only a tripped breaker but also the chance of overheating.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators are huge power hogs. With power needs ranging from 300 to 800 watts, they can quickly max out the capabilities of a power strip. The risk? Tripping the circuit breaker—especially if you’ve got other stuff plugged into the same strip. That’s a recipe for inconvenience at best, and damage at worst.

Blow Dryer

Think your hair dryer is a lightweight? Think again. Hair dryers and similar beauty tools pack a serious punch, consuming anywhere from 1500 to 2000 watts. That’s a lot of juice, enough to trip a circuit breaker on a power strip all by themselves, no help needed. And with that much power, overheating is more than a possibility—it’s a likelihood.