An electrician has said there are six items UK homeowners should never plug into their extension leads. If householders only plugged items into wall sockets they’d have to make some tough choices about whether to have the fridge or washing machine on.
But experts have said there are some appliances which people must avoid plugging into multicocket extension leads – and some of them are quite surprising. Sustainable energy expert Gordon Wallis from Your NRG said: “Extension cords have their place in the home, but it’s vital to understand their limits.
“They’re designed for temporary, low-power use—not as a permanent solution for running heavy-duty appliances. Misusing them can not only lead to energy inefficiency but pose a serious fire risk.”
Among the worst offenders are small kitchen appliances like air fryers and microwaves, as well as larger white goods such as washing machines and fridges.
“Appliances like air fryers, microwaves, and washing machines demand a significant amount of power. Plugging these into an extension cord can overload the circuit, causing overheating and, in some cases, sparking or electrical fires,” warns Wallis. “From a sustainability perspective, you’re also wasting energy due to inefficiencies in power delivery.”
Even more dangerous is the practice of daisy-chaining extension cords—plugging one into another—which dramatically increases the chance of overload. Mr Wallis said: ”It might seem harmless to daisy-chain extension cords or use one to power a fridge or freezer, but this is one of the most dangerous habits in the homes. These appliances cycle on and off throughout the day, creating sudden power surges that many extension cords simply aren’t built to handle.”
Six devices never to plus into extension leads
1. Air fryers
Although they range in wattage based on size, large air fryers can draw up to 2,000 watts, making them a major fire hazard if they’re attached to an extension cord. If you don’t have space to keep your air fryer out full time, it’s best to only pull it out when needed and plug it into a dedicated wall socket every time.
2. Microwaves
Some homes have a built-in microwave, but not everyone has this feature. If you have to find a place to connect yours in your kitchen, this is another heavy-duty appliance that should live on its own dedicated circuit because of its high wattage.
3. Extension cords
Plugging extension cords into other extension cords is another huge “no” in the electrical world. This practice, called “daisy chaining,” can lead to the circuit overheating, which would cause the cords to overheat and lead to a fire.
4. Electric ovens and stoves
Using with electric ovens and stoves need a dedicated curcuit to function safely and efficiently, said Elston, director at Easy Boilers. “Plugging an electric oven into an extension cord poses a potential fire risk, You also run the risk of electrocuting yourself if the wattage doesn’t match the outlet. It’s therefore vital to analyse and research the specific power requirements of your appliances so you don’t make any fatal errors.”
5. Toasters and toaster ovens
Although toasters are smaller kitchen appliances, they use a lot of energy and can also pose a fire threat if connected to an extension cord or power strip. Toaster ovens need even more power to operate, with wattage ranging from 1,200 to 1,400 watts.
6. Refrigerators
While refrigerators use less power, about 300 to 800 watts, than some other kitchen appliances, they’re still not recommended for extension cord use because they are constantly running. Even if an extension cord doesn’t cause a fire when attached to a fridge, there’s a possibility the connection could cause the fridge to malfunction.
