10 Common Appliances You Should Never Use With Power Strips

Power strips make life convenient, but some appliances demand more than they can safely give. Firefighters usually encounter dangerous situations caused by these innocent-looking cords. So, ignoring the limits can have serious consequences, even if nothing seems wrong. Here are the everyday devices you should never plug into a power strip.

Space Heaters

These devices pull massive amounts of electricity to generate heat, usually exceeding what power strips can safely handle. The sustained high draw causes wires to overheat. Therefore, always connect space heaters directly to wall outlets to prevent house fires.

Refrigerators

Your refrigerator runs continuously, and that draws steady power around the clock. This constant demand stresses power strip components beyond their design limits. Refrigerators need dedicated wall outlets because they’re essential appliances that require reliable, uninterrupted electricity. Don’t risk your food or your home’s safety with improper connections.

Microwaves

Microwaves can instantly melt or spark power strips when you turn them on. The intense heat and energy create serious fire hazards in seconds. Power strips aren’t strong enough to handle microwaves safely. One wrong connection could start a kitchen fire that destroys your home and puts your family at risk.

Washing Machines

Combining high power use with water exposure, washing machines make power strips very unsafe. During operation, the washing machine’s motors demand high levels of current. Excessive current combined with moisture may cause insulation failure or sparks, thereby making power strips a serious hazard in laundry areas.

Air Conditioners

Air conditioning units rank among the heaviest power consumers in any household. They cycle frequently and create repeated power surges that deteriorate power strip internals. These cooling systems absolutely require dedicated circuits. Using power strips with AC units can also cause system overload and permanent damage.

Dryers (Portable Or Compact)

Portable dryers generate high heat during cycles that last 30 minutes or more. Overuse strains power strips, leading to failure. The combination of heat and electricity creates a dangerous situation. Size alone does not make these machines safe.

Dishwashers (Countertop Models)

The problem is timing—countertop dishwashers heat water and run pumps together, and not separately. So this creates an electrical surge that power strips can’t safely handle. Factor in the damp environment these machines create, and overheating becomes guaranteed. Your kitchen faces a serious fire risk every time you run a load.

Electric Blankets

Though electric blankets don’t draw much power, they become dangerous when plugged into a power strip. Since these run for long periods beside pillows and sheets, an overloaded strip can ignite fabric quickly. Bedroom fires are among the deadliest because they happen while people sleep, thereby reducing escape time to dangerous minimums.

Toasters/Toaster Ovens

Both toasters and toaster ovens draw high amounts of electricity at once, which can overload power strips. Multiple heating components make the problem worse, increasing the risk of sparks or damage. For safety, avoid plugging these heat-producing appliances into anything other than circuits designed for their power requirements.

Hair Dryers

Hair dryers generate intense heat and a high electrical load very quickly. Using them on a power strip can wear down the strip’s wiring over time, potentially causing shorts or appliance failure. Treat these devices like high-demand appliances and avoid shared outlets.