May's Safety Topic - Power Strips and Dangerous Daisy Chains
Did You Know?
May is National Electrical Safety Month, a period dedicated to raising awareness about electrical safety in homes, businesses, and communities. It's a reminder to take proactive steps to prevent electrical hazards, which can lead to fires, shocks, and even fatalities. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) leads this annual campaign to educate people on how to avoid electrically related incidents.
Fun Facts:
Power strips and surge protectors are frequent culprits in household fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), electrical malfunctions—including those involving power strips—cause nearly 51,000 home fires each year. These incidents result in around 500 deaths, over 1,400 injuries, and nearly $1.3 billion in property damage annually. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also reports that electrical distribution and lighting equipment, such as power strips, contribute to about 10% of all residential fires.
A significant number of these fires are caused by misuse; such as
- Overloading power strips
- Plugging in high-wattage appliances (i.e. space heaters)
- Connecting multiple power strips or extension cords together (Daisy-Chaining)
Daisy-chaining is especially common in older buildings (like ours), where limited outlets cause employees to link multiple power strips together or create "mixed daisy chains" of extension cords and surge protectors to increase access and/or reach greater distances. However, this method of interconnection is dangerous and violates both OSHA regulations and the National Electrical Code. Overloading these devices can lead to equipment failure and increase the risk of fire. (Refer to the attached Office of Compliance’s “Fast Facts” for more details.)
FQA
- Is a power strip the same as a surge protector?
- No, a power strip is not the same as a surge protector. A power strip simply extends the number of outlets available, while a surge protector also protects connected devices from power surges and spikes.
- Is a surge protector the same as an APC “Back-UPS” (Uninterruptible Power Supply)?
- No, they are not the same. While they both provide protection for electronic devices, a surge protector defends against short-term voltage spikes and surges, while a UPS provides a backup power source during power outages, also offering surge protection.
- Is plugging a power strip into a surge protector and/or surge protector into a UPS considered daisy-chaining?
- Yes, According to the National Fire Protection Association Daisy-chaining refers to connecting multiple power strips or surge protectors together. Therefore, while it can be done, it is NOT recommended or allowed. Connecting multiple power strips, or daisy chaining, significantly increases the risk of overloading and fire. Always connect each power strip directly to a wall outlet.
- Am I allowed to use a 2-3 prong adapter?
- No, OSHA prohibits the use of adapters that remove the ground pin from a 3-prong plug to fit it into a 2-prong outlet. This practice eliminates the safety feature of the grounding conductor, increasing the risk of fire, shock, or even death. Instead, OSHA requires that outlets be changed to match the plug, ensuring proper grounding.
- Can I hide my power strip under a rug?
- No! If you put power strip under a rug or enclosed in a tight space, the heat generated from the flow of electrical current can build up and cause a fire. There is also the potential for stepping on, tripping over, and damaging the plugs causing a shock and/or fire hazard.
- Can I plug a space heater or refrigerator into my power strip?
- No, you should not plug a space heater or refrigerator into a power strip. Space heaters require a high amount of electrical current that most power strips are not designed to handle, potentially causing overheating or even a fire. Refrigerators also draw a substantial amount of power and should be plugged directly into a dedicated outlet.
Electrical safety is essential to prevent injuries, fires, and even fatalities—whether at home, work, or in public. If you see something that looks unsafe, like exposed wires or overloaded outlets, don’t ignore it—say something immediately to your Safety Committee. Speaking up can protect you and others from serious harm.