Lack of outlets has been a perennial problem, especially today when you must plug multiple devices, from laptops and desktops to phones, printers, fans, and many more. Given this, most people resort to buying a power strip. But are power strips safe? Definitely yes. Nonetheless, you should be careful in buying one. Power strip precautions are a must regardless of the setup and location. And in this article, you will learn the do's and don'ts to ensure a safe power strip using experience.
Why is Power Strip Safety Important?
In a world where many things need to be plugged in, a power strip is highly beneficial despite the mundane and insignificant look. For once, it provides a central location for cable organization. Moreover, power strip safety ensures that you are protected against harm caused by electrical spikes or oscillations, ensuring the safe and efficient handling of various electronic devices. It also reduces people's reliance on extension cords, reducing clutter and overloaded circuits. Finally, investing in a dependable power strip might enhance convenience and protect electronic devices too.
Do's and Don'ts with Your Power Strip
A power strip though simple, is consequential in an office or home. Given this, following basic precautions is necessary for better electrical safety. And to help you with that, below are some of the do's and don'ts to ensure power strip, electrical, and power safety.
Do's
Here are some of the do's to ensure safety when using power strips.
- Placeit away from children
Kids are naturally curious, so it is not unthinkable that they will try playing with the power strip. Given this, teaching them and placing your power strip in a high place will be a good precaution. This can keep your children from being harmed accidentally.
- Use power strips sparingly
Are all power strips surge protected? Not all, and even if surge protection is present, the power strip can still get overloaded if you plug in too many devices. Given this, you should use them sparingly as they are not designed for frequent extended usage.
- Only plug light-load appliances
Power strips have inherent capacity limits. Therefore, plugging only light-load appliances will be an ideal habit to not exceed the overall capacity of the power strip. This is suggested for all power strips, even for Anker 521 Power Strip, which has an 8-point safety system with an active shield, over-voltage protection, over-current protection and so on.
- Check for wear and tear
Before using a power strip, check for any signs of wear and tear. Once you notice the power strip has wear and tear or a burned outlet, stop using it immediately. If one socket shows a burn, the overall safety of the power strip is already compromised.
- Purchase only those with short-circuit protection
Power strips with short-circuit protection are seldom; nonetheless, you should look for them. Power strips equipped with this safety measure, like the Anker 615 USB Power Strip, are a must-buy as they are both convenient and safe.
Don'ts
Are power strips dangerous? No, but they definitely have risks. And to avoid these risks, here are some of the don'ts to ensure safety when them.
- Don’t makeit wet
Like other electronic devices, a power strip should not get wet. Electricity and water should never be near each other; this is a no-brainer. If you disregard it, you risk compromising yourself and everything plugged into it.
- Don’t takean indoor power strip outdoors
Unlike indoor ones, outdoor power strips can weather water and other environmental concerns. Given this, you should not use those for inside to outside use to avoid hazards brought upon by environmental elements.
- Don’t plug it in another power strip
This is a temptation you should avoid. Even when one does not reach far enough, daisy-chaining power strips is still a big no. Aside from being against more than half of Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines, it can also cause overloading, stripping, and fire.
- Don’t overloadit
This is one of the most basic guidelines when using a power strip. Ensure that the amperage requirement by the devices plugged in does not exceed the capacity. If this is not followed, you are prone to fire hazards.
- Don’t put an object over it
Power strips can become hot due to the heat generated by the moving electrons. With this in mind, flammable objects placed over it can catch fire.
Other Power Strips Safety Tips
Other electrical safety tips you should follow when using power strips are the following:
- Read the packaging
Reading the packaging can be consequential as it usually has some information detailing the proper usage of the device.
- Get a smoke detector
As a safety precaution, getting smoke detected as an added protection will be ideal in the event of a fire caused by short-circuiting,
- Do not use it in basements
Basements are some of the moistest areas, and as we all know, moisture does not go well with electricity.
Conclusion
As an essential component of our nearly technology-dependent lives. the advantages and significance of a safe and efficient power strip cannot be understated. Nonetheless, even the safest power strip has inherent risks that must not be overlooked. Following basic guidelines and avoiding simple things like overloading and covering them with items can be advantageous in this regard. Lastly, don’t forget to also invest in a quality power strip with advanced safety system like Anker 332 USB Power Strip to minimize any safety risks that might concern you.
FAQ
How do I know if my power strip is safe?
To know whether your power strip is safe, you need to check its packaging. See to it that it is UL-registered or ETL certified. These certifications and labels are an indicator that complies with industry safety regulations. To further ascertain its safety, it should also have an integrated circuit breaker, surge protection, overheating indicator, and many more.
Should I unplug the power strip when not in use?
When not in use, unplugging a power strip is an excellent safety and conservation practice. Note that this is not mandatory, especially if it has devices that must be turned on for extended periods. But in general, one should unplug power strips in times of storms or if one will not be at home for an extended period.
What should never be plugged into a power strip?
A power strip does not have a limitless capacity. Given this, devices with high power consumption should never be plugged into power strips. Appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, toasters, and space heaters can overwhelm the power strip and cause overheating, which is a fire hazard.
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