Extension Cord Safety | Teems Electric

Spring weather is upon us, and for many of us here in the South that means…yard work. Annual plants have begun to bloom, grass is starting to grow and the shrub you never trimmed last year still, amazingly, needs a trim.

It may not be your favorite chore, but yard work does mean you get to revisit the tools that have been stored for the winter. It likely also means untangling those extension cords you tossed in the shed when you took the Christmas decorations out of the yard.

Extension cords carry a high risk factor when they are not used correctly. They can harm you and your tools and even start a fire. Use your extension cords properly as you begin work in the yard this spring.

Use the Right One

While incredibly handy for stretching power sources, improper use of extension cords leads to 3,000 house fires every year. They seem so simple: plug in here, work over there. This is certainly the premise of extension cords, but in reality, you need the right length, the right amperage, the right wire gauge. In short, you need the right cord for the right job.

Anything you plan to use outside should be rated for outdoor use. You shouldn’t connect two extension cords together, so you also need to consider the length you will need in order to run your equipment. It is always ideal to only use the length that you need: If a short cord will work, use a short cord rather than a curled up long one.

Never force a three-prong extension cord into a two-prong outlet, and avoid using extension cords around standing water. Always check your extension cord for signs of deterioration before using it as well. That might mean it is time to retire Grandpa’s electric-taped covered cord for good and invest in a much safer new version.

Work Safely

Extension cords are intended to provide a short-term extension of your existing electric availability. That means if you are hoping to install one permanently, it may be a better idea to invest in having additional power run where you constantly need it. Extension cords should never be stapled or otherwise attached to baseboards or floors.

Heating equipment should never be plugged into an extension cord. Space heaters and other items that have heating elements need a higher electrical load to run and should always be plugged directly into the wall to prevent a fire.

Don’t fully cover extension cords or run them through walls or doors. This prevents the release of heat and creates another fire hazard. Make sure any extension cords you do use have been tested by an independent lab, which will be indicated on its tag when you purchase it.

Spring is a magical time of year, even if it does involve yard work. Power your tools responsibly, and always put extension cords away neatly in order to prevent damaging them. Now go trim that shrub!

Need some extra electrical outlets installed outside your home? Contact us to get started.