9 Things You Should Never Plug Into a Power Strip

The headline is a little too absolute. The real issue is overloading a power strip, especially with high-wattage appliances. A power strip should generally be used for lower-power electronics, not appliances that draw a lot of current. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

🚫 Avoid plugging these into a power strip

1. Space heaters — one of the most important rules. Plug them directly into a wall outlet. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
2. Electric blankets/heated pads — ESFI advises against using them with power strips because of overheating risk. (ESFI)
3. Air conditioners — portable/window units can draw substantial current and should use an appropriate dedicated outlet/circuit.
4. Microwave ovens — high-power appliances are generally better connected directly to a properly rated wall outlet.
5. Toasters and toaster ovens — heating elements can draw a lot of electricity.
6. Electric kettles — another high-wattage heating appliance.
7. Hair dryers — particularly powerful models can overload a strip.
8. Refrigerators/freezers — their compressors have significant startup loads; follow the manufacturer’s electrical requirements.
9. Large cooking appliances such as hot plates or countertop ovens — these can draw enough power to overload a typical strip.

⚠️ The bigger danger: overloading

Don’t assume that having six sockets means you can safely run six appliances simultaneously. The power strip, cord and circuit all have limits. CPSC warns that overloaded power strips can present a serious fire hazard, and defective power strips have also been recalled because of inadequate overcurrent protection. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Also, never plug one power strip into another (“daisy chaining”), and replace strips or cords that are cracked, damaged, hot, sparking or showing signs of melting. (ESFI)

✅ What power strips are better suited for

Lower-power electronics such as phone chargers, computers, monitors, televisions and similar equipment are generally more appropriate, provided the strip is properly rated and not overloaded. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Bottom line: The key isn’t that every appliance on this list is inherently incompatible with every power strip. High-wattage heating appliances should generally go directly into an appropriate wall outlet, while power strips are best reserved for lower-power electronics.