As temperatures drop, many people rely on space heaters to stay warm. However, firefighters are sounding the alarm: never plug a space heater into a power strip—it could start a fire within minutes.
The Hidden Danger of Power Strips
Power strips are convenient, but they aren’t built to handle high-powered devices like space heaters, microwaves, or refrigerators. The risk? Overheating, electrical malfunctions, and in worst cases, house fires.
Fire departments across the U.S. are urging people to plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), space heaters cause around 1,200 fires per year. Many of these fires start because people unknowingly overload power strips.
Why Are Space Heaters So Dangerous?
Space heaters can reach 600°F (315°C) or more. If they aren’t used properly, they can ignite nearby furniture, curtains, or carpets. Even more concerning, a faulty power strip can melt, spark, or catch fire, leading to devastating consequences.
🔥 Real-Life Examples of Power Strip Fires
- Ohio: A family lost their home when a space heater plugged into a power strip overheated and set a couch on fire.
- Oregon: Firefighters issued a viral warning after a power strip melted and caught fire within minutes of being used with a space heater.
- Texas: A homeowner plugged in multiple heating devices to one strip—the overload sparked an electrical fire overnight.
🚨 What Should NEVER Be Plugged Into a Power Strip?
Fire experts recommend keeping high-power devices off power strips and plugging them directly into a wall outlet. These include:
✅ Space heaters – High wattage and prolonged use can cause overheating.
✅ Refrigerators & Freezers – These appliances cycle on and off, pulling large surges of power.
✅ Microwaves & Toasters – These draw a huge amount of electricity and can fry a power strip.
✅ Coffee makers & Air fryers – Heating elements require direct, stable power from an outlet.
✅ Portable air conditioners – Similar to space heaters, they consume a lot of energy.
⚠️ Electrical Fire Prevention Tips
✔️ Use power strips for low-power devices only (like chargers, lamps, or TVs).
✔️ Check for overheating – If your power strip feels hot, unplug it immediately.
✔️ Don’t daisy-chain power strips (plugging one into another).
✔️ Replace damaged cords – Frayed or cracked cords can cause sparks.
✔️ Upgrade outdated outlets – If you live in an older home, consider installing grounded (three-prong) outlets.
Final Warning: Check Your Smoke Alarms
Even if you take every precaution, accidents happen. Make sure you have working smoke detectors in every room—they could save your life.
🔥 Bottom line? Space heaters and other high-power appliances should ONLY be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Don’t risk a fire by using a power strip! Stay warm, but stay safe.