Electricity powers nearly everything in our modern lives, but many homes weren’t built to handle today’s demand. Power strips offer a quick fix for plugging in multiple devices—but misusing them can be dangerous.

While great for phones, lamps, or small gadgets, power strips aren’t made for high-wattage appliances. Plugging in items like ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, space heaters, microwaves, coffee makers, or toasters can cause overheating, electrical failures, or fires.

Other key tips:

* Never plug one power strip into another (“daisy chaining”)—it’s a major fire risk.
* Use **surge protectors**, not basic strips, for sensitive electronics like TVs or computers.

In short: know your power strip’s limits. Used correctly, they’re safe and convenient. Misused, they can be a serious hazard.