Firefighters Want Everyone To Know What They Should Never Plug Into A Power Strip

As winter settles in and temperatures drop, many people reach for space heaters to warm bedrooms, offices, or drafty corners of the home. Fire departments across the country support their use, yet they also repeat an urgent reminder. Never plug a space heater into a power strip.

This warning comes clearly from the Umatilla County Fire District #1 in Oregon. According to the department, power strips are not designed to handle the level of electricity that space heaters require. When overloaded, a strip can overheat. That heat can damage wiring or melt plastic housings. In the worst cases, it can trigger a fire.

These concerns are not just theoretical. In Toledo, Ohio, firefighters investigated a blaze caused by a heater that had been plugged into a strip instead of a wall outlet. Sparks from the overheated strip ignited a nearby couch. The fire spread quickly, filling the home with smoke and flames. Space heaters can reach temperatures as high as 600 degrees Fahrenheit, which means any nearby flammable material, such as furniture, curtains, or bedding, can ignite in moments if conditions align.

The safest approach begins with the most basic habit. Always plug space heaters directly into wall outlets. This allows the heater to draw power from wiring designed to manage higher electrical loads. If an outlet feels warm to the touch, the heater should be turned off and the outlet inspected by a professional.

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