15 Things You Should Never Plug Into a Power Strip

Most people trust a power strip far more than they should, and that’s where the problem begins. You set one on the floor, plug in half the gadgets you use every day, and assume everything will run smoothly. But the truth is a little more complicated, and once you understand how easily a simple mistake can turn into a serious hazard, you start to look at power strip safety with a completely different mindset.

Many homeowners still ignore what not to plug into a power strip, mostly because these appliances are part of daily life and never feel dangerous. Yet the combination of heavy power use, heat, and old wiring is one of the most common sources of electrical fire hazards inside a home. The good news is that once you know which items belong in a wall outlet only, you can protect your home without changing your lifestyle.

So let’s walk through the fifteen things you should never connect to a power strip and why avoiding them keeps you and your home safe.

1. Space Heaters

Space heaters look harmless because they warm up a small room, but inside, they pull off one of the heaviest loads of any household device. They generate intense heat quickly, and that heat alone makes them unsafe for power strips. A heater needs direct access to a wall outlet because even a slight overload can cause the strip to melt or spark. When you understand the danger, you start to see why these devices must stay far away from extension cords and power bars.

2. Refrigerators

Most people never think twice before plugging a fridge into whatever outlet is close, but the compressor inside a refrigerator constantly turns on and off. These sudden spikes in power can overwhelm a strip in seconds. A fridge also runs day and night, which increases the chances of a long-term overload. When you rely on a power strip for an appliance that never rests, you create a risk you can easily avoid with a wall outlet.

3. Microwaves

Microwaves fall into the category of high-wattage appliances, and that alone is enough reason to give them their own wall socket. They use bursts of energy to heat food rapidly, and that burst can instantly push a strip past its limit. Even the strongest surge protector is not designed to handle the dramatic spikes a microwave produces every time you press the start button.

4. Air Conditioners

An air conditioner draws an enormous amount of power the moment it starts. That first surge stresses even a strong circuit, so imagine the strain it puts on a simple strip. Whether it’s a window AC or a portable unit, it needs a steady and direct source of electricity. Using a strip here doesn’t just increase the risk of damage—it practically invites failure.

5. Hair Dryers

Hair dryers heat up quickly and hit maximum power within seconds. That rapid demand sends heat directly into a strip’s wiring, and over time, the strip can weaken, melt, or spark. Because hair dryers are used daily and often in tight spaces, the danger becomes even greater.

6. Curling Irons or Straighteners

These styling tools behave just like hair dryers. They jump into high-temperature mode so quickly that a strip cannot handle the load. The repeated heat cycles also wear out the internal wiring of the strip, increasing the risk of a fire.

7. Washing Machines

Washing machines rely on heavy motors, and those motors draw inconsistent power as they change cycles. The vibration from the machine also loosens connections over time. A power strip can never handle that combination safely. These appliances must stay connected to a proper wall outlet.

8. Dryers

If you had to pick the most dangerous item to plug into a power strip, a dryer would easily take the top spot. These machines use extreme heat, huge motors, and long running times. Every part of a dryer screams “wall outlet only,” and ignoring that rule can lead to catastrophic damage.

Another Good Read: 10 Easy Ways to Protect Your Home From Break-Ins

9. Dishwashers

Dishwashers combine two things that never mix well: high electricity use and constant exposure to water. These machines run hot cycles and use strong motors, which instantly disqualify them from strip use. A dedicated outlet is the only safe option.

10. Coffee Makers

A coffee maker may not look powerful, but it produces heat fast. It’s another case where a compact device hides large energy spikes, and the strip simply can’t handle that load. Keeping it on a wall outlet helps prevent power overload and keeps your kitchen safer.

11. Air Fryers

Air fryers are convenient and modern, but they also draw a surprising amount of electricity. They heat up quickly, run hot, and work longer than many expect. Every reason that makes them useful also makes them unsafe for power strips.

12. Toasters or Toaster Ovens

Toasters heat their coils instantly. That instant heat is dangerous when routed through a strip. Toaster ovens work even longer and hotter, and both appliances easily push a strip beyond what it was built to tolerate.

13. Slow Cookers

Slow cookers look harmless because they use low heat, but they run for long hours. That extended run time warms the wiring inside a strip more than you realize. Over time, that heat can damage the strip and increase the risk of a fire. Choosing a wall outlet helps you avoid electrical risks without changing your cooking routine.

14. Portable Cooktops

Portable cooktops produce intense heat and need strong, steady power. Manufacturers design them for wall outlets only, and ignoring that advice puts you and your home at risk. The heat they generate can overwhelm a strip within minutes.

15. Extension Cords

This one surprises many people, but it’s important—never plug a power strip into another extension cord. It increases resistance, traps heat, and breaks every rule of home safety tips. When you daisy-chain cords, you create a hidden danger that builds slowly until it becomes a serious hazard.

Wrapping Up…

Now that you know what not to plug into a power strip, you understand why these simple devices must be used carefully. Power strip safety isn’t about fear; it’s about being aware of how appliances behave and respecting the limits of the tools you rely on every day. When you give heavy or heat-producing appliances their own outlets, you instantly reduce the risk of electrical fire hazards and create a safer living space for your family.