If you have an office or living room where outlets are limited, you can power the lamps, electronics, and other devices you need with a power strip. While they are a handy solution for these limitations, power strips also have boundaries that traditional electrical wiring doesn’t. The guide below explains how you can safely use a power strip to increase your home’s available outlets.

3 Ways to Maximize Power Strip Safety

1. Know the Limits

Power strips may have six or eight outlets, but that doesn’t mean they should all be in use at once. For example, you can safely use devices that don’t use much power, like small fans, desk lamps, and even laptops at the same time. However, if you’re using heavy-duty devices like crockpots or space heaters with a power strip, you may need to unplug other devices beforehand, to avoid tripping the circuit breaker.

2. Don’t Cover the Cord

If you’re using a power strip with a longer cord, you may want to hide the unsightly cable and minimize the tripping hazard by covering it with a rug. However, this will create friction as people walk over it, generating heat and eventually breaking the electrical wiring. Alternatively, that heat may be enough to set the rug on fire, endangering your whole home.

3. Protect Yourself

It is tempting to buy the cheapest power strip available, but that’s a surefire way to jeopardize your devices and electrical wiring. Make sure the power strip you buy has a built-in surge protector. This feature is especially significant in areas where electrical storms are frequent. A lightning strike nearby could send a surge through your electrical wiring, and devices plugged into unprotected outlets will be destroyed or damaged by the sudden rush of electricity. You should also inspect the cord at least once a year. If you notice any fraying or broken insulation, you should replace it immediately.

If power strips don’t meet your electrical needs, you should upgrade the electrical wiring throughout your home. For professional work at an affordable price, work with the team at RM Electrical. From their base in Belleville, IL, they have served St. Clair, Madison, and Monroe counties for over a decade. Whether you need lighting installed, electrical wiring updated, or new outlets put in, they will help. Learn more about their residential and commercial services online, and call (618) 939-0422 to discuss your project.