Use Extension Cords Safely During the Holiday Season

Arlington, VA–The holidays are here, and decorations and lights are dressing homes across America. As decorations go up, extension cords will be widely used to carry electricity where it is needed. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) urges consumers to exercise caution when using extension cords, and warns that improper use can pose serious shock and fire hazards this holiday season.

• Extension cords are meant to provide a temporary solution and should not be used as a long-term or permanent electrical circuit.
• Examine extension cords before each use. Cracked, frayed, or otherwise damaged cords should be replaced immediately.
• Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way. Touching even a single exposed strand can result in an electric shock or burn.
• To avoid overheating extension cords, make sure that they do not run under furniture or carpeting or behind baseboards.
• When working outdoors, use only weather-resistant, heavy gauge extension cords marked “for outdoor use.” These cords have added safeguards designed to withstand the outdoor environment.
• Keep all outdoor extension cords and light strands clear of snow and standing water and well-protected from the elements.

• Purchase cords from authorized retailers that have been approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• When buying an extension cord for use outdoors, make sure that it is marked “for outdoor use.”
• Select a cord that is long enough to meet your needs. Never attempt to extend the length of an extension cord by connecting it with another extension cord.