Holiday fire safety: How to use electrical extension cords wisely

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by C. Lyn Walter

Created on: December 15, 2008 Last Updated: December 27, 2008

Planning for Holiday Fire safety should be the first priority on the holiday planning list of things to do. When assembling additional holiday electrical devices we frequently make use of extension cords which are often overlooked as a contributing factor to residential fires and bodily injury. We might not be aware that the use of electrical extension cords could be placing the safety of our families and our homes at risk each holiday season.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there are in excess of 4,000 hospital treated injuries caused by electrical extension cords, every year. The causes of these injuries are related to tripping over cords, residential fires caused by mal-functioning electrical cords and even more disturbing, burns to the mouth in children under five.

The winter months further impact and stress Holiday Fire Safety due to the increased use of electronic lights, devices, and extension cords that frequently are used year after year, without a safety check prior installing them for another season. Overloading electrical outlets and extension cords are a common occurrence and are responsible for placing families at risk for fire and electrical mal functions, resulting in severe burn injuries. The website for the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov/talk and the United States Fire Administration http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/seasonal/holiday are good resources for questions regarding Holiday Fire Safety and for year round safety tips as well. Some of the recommendations for the safe use of extension cords include:

Only use extension cords when absolutely necessary

Use extension cords as a temporary measure only

Do not allow cords to dangle or become entangled

Do not cover cords with rugs, furniture, blankets, clothing or paper

Do not use cords while they are coiled or looped

Replaced any cords that are frayed, or worn

Use only # 16 gauge cords that have been inspected for safety by national testing laboratories

Never staple or tack extension cords

Educate children to the danger of cords

Insert cord plugs all the way in to the socket so no part of the prongs are exposed

When disconnecting cords pull on the plug never the cord

Use heavy duty extension cords for high wattage use