It is important to remember that extension cords can be dangerous when proper care is not exercised. Couple that with the fact that extension cords are prevalent in our daily lives (in the home, office, construction site etc.), and you could have a potential disaster on your hands. For that reason, we recommend that you become familiar with proper protocol and safety tips when it comes to extension cords.
For starters, we suggest you do some research into what extension cords work best for the device you plan to use it for. For example, if you are going to use cords for an outside event then it would make sense to invest in heavy duty or weather specific cords to avoid breakage. If you plan to use the cord in the household, then it would be beneficial to make sure you get a cord that is not too long or too short. If the cord is too long then you risk the chance of someone tripping over it, and if it is too short then it could cause the cord to fray.
Here are a few safety tips if you plan on using extension cords in an outside environment such as a construction site:
- Make sure your cords are designed for the outdoors.
- Avoid removing a cord from the pin to fit into a two-prong outlet.
- Never force a plug into an incompatible outlet.
- Make sure the extension cord can hold the wattage emitted from the device it is connected to.
- Do not tape an extension cord through walls or ceilings, as this can be a fire hazard.
- Be wary of extension cords that feel hot at the touch. If they become too hot then stop using them.
If you have questions or need help picking out the right extension cord, give us a call today!