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Extension
Cords are Far More Dangerous Than Many Realize:
Three Important Reasons to Check Your Cords Today
by SixWise.com
Most
people don't give much thought to the extension cords
running under their couches, connecting lamps to faraway sockets
or allowing five plugs to fit into one electrical outlet -- until
something goes wrong. Please don't make that mistake!
Every
year, an estimated 4,000 injuries are treated in hospital
emergency rooms, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), and 13 percent of those injuries involve
young children aged 5 years or less.
Three
Major Extension Cord Risks
1.
Tripping
How
many extension cords are running across your floors, in heavily
trafficked, common areas, right now? This accident waiting
to happen is the reason why, according to the CPSC, about
half of extension-cord-related injuries involve fractures,
lacerations, contusions, or sprains from people tripping over
extension cords. The elderly are most at risk, as a fall can
easily break bones or result in the need for surgery.
The
solution: Place extension cords with extreme care, in areas
that are not normally walked over. Run cords along baseboards
or walls or thread them behind tables or other furniture where
they are out of the way. (DO NOT put them under rugs or heavy
furniture, or behind radiators or heaters, as this is a fire
hazard)
2.
Fires
The
CPSC estimates that extension
cords cause about 3,300 residential fires each year,
killing 50 people and injuring about 270 others. The most
frequent causes of extension cord fires?
- Short
circuits
- Using
old, damaged cords
- Overloading
cords, which leads to overheating
- Misuse
The
solution: Delaware's Assistant State Fire Marshal Richard
Ward said homeowners can reduce their risk of extension cord
fires by investing in heavier gauge extension cords and avoiding
"bargain cords."
Overloading extension cords can cause deadly fires.
Play it safe and don't try to plug in " just one
more." |
"You
get what you pay for," Ward said. "If you pay more
money, you're going to get a better extension cord."
Other tips include:
- Replace
cords that are cracked or frayed.
- Don't
overload cords or sockets.
- Don't
run cords under rugs or near heaters or radiators.
- Only
use exterior extension cords for outside use. Firefighters
in Phoenix, AZ said they see several fires each year caused
solely by people using interior extension cords outside.
- Pay
attention to cord quality and purpose -- don't
use a light-duty extension cord for a job that really needs
a heavy-duty variety, such as air conditioners or freezers.
- Feel
the temperature of the cords when they are in use. If they
are hot to the touch, unplug them immediately. Replace the
extension cord with one that has No. 16 or heavier gauge
wire (the lower the number, the heavier the wire and the
more electrical current the cord can safely carry).
3.
Electrical Burns
Electrical
burns to the mouth accounted for half the extension-cord-related
injuries to young children,
according to the CPSC. They reported one incident in which
a 15-month-old girl put an extension cord in her mouth and
suffered an electrical burn that required surgery.
The
solution: Keep all extension cords out of the reach of children.
Plugs, outlets and cords can be irresistible to young children
who don't realize their dangers.
Play
it safe and avoid using them if you have small children, or
ensure that your child cannot get access to the cord. Some
of the worst places to put them are dangling over counters
or tabletops where they can be pulled down. If you do use
one, be sure it has a safety closure to cover any unused outlets.
 Winding
and unwinding outdoor extension cords can be a major hassle
... and the tangled cords can be a major risk. This
outdoor extension cord "Wonder Winder" ends
the hassle for good, making winding and unwinding your
extension
cord as snap! A great gift -- whether to a loved one
or yourself.
Read
More Now! |
Other
Tips For Safe Extension Cord Use
Extension
cords are handy tools and necessities in many homes, so follow
these other tips to help you use extension cords in the safest
manner:
- Make
sure new cords are listed by a recognized national testing
laboratory
- Only
use extension cords when they're absolutely necessary
- Use
polarized extension cords with polarized appliances
- Don't
leave prongs exposed, even partly, when the cord is in use
- Pull
the plug, not the cord, when disconnecting it from the socket
- Special
"angle extension cords" can be used where
furniture or beds may push against the plug
- Don't
use staples or nails to attach extension cords to any surface
- Don't
exceed the total wattage listed on the cord by plugging
in too many appliances
- Try
not to use them for long-term purposes
The
extension cord No. 16 on top shows a safe version
with polarized blades and a safety closure. The older
extension
cord on the bottom has non-polarized blades and a thin
cord that
could
be a fire hazard. |
Sources
Extension
Cords Fact Sheet
Household
Extension Cords Can Cause Fires
Delaware
Online
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