On Sept. 7, 2025, a Brooklyn electrician warned that several common household appliances should always be plugged directly into wall outlets because using extension cords or power strips can cause overheating, malfunction or fires.
- High-draw appliances can overload extension cords and create fire hazards.
- Seven device types to avoid on extension cords: air fryers, microwaves, space heaters, toaster/toaster ovens, refrigerators, window AC units and daisy-chained cords.
- Common 14-gauge cords are rated about 15 amps (≈1,800 watts); appliances over 1,500 watts should use a dedicated circuit.
- Power strips and surge protectors are intended for electronics, not heating or heavy-load appliances.
- Daisy chaining (plugging extension cords into each other) greatly increases the risk of overheating.
Verified facts
Electrician Paul Martinez, owner of Electrified NYC, stresses: do not use extension cords for appliances that run continuously or contain heating elements. He summarizes the practical risk: connectors and cord insulation can melt under sustained high current, leading to fires.
Specific typical power draws quoted by technicians and manufacturers: large air fryers can reach about 2,000 watts; toaster ovens commonly draw 1,200–1,400 watts; refrigerators typically run between 300 and 800 watts. These figures explain why some kitchen devices and climate-control units are poor candidates for temporary cabling solutions.
| Device | Typical wattage | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Air fryer | Up to ~2,000 W | High continuous draw; heating element |
| Microwave | Varies; often >1,000 W | Heavy load; needs dedicated circuit |
| Space heater | ~1,000–1,500+ W | Leading cause of portable-heater fires |
| Toaster / Toaster oven | 1,200–1,400 W | Heating element stresses cords |
| Refrigerator | 300–800 W (runs continuously) | Continuous duty can stress connectors |
| Window AC unit | Varies; high startup and run watts | Large sustained draw; compressor stress |
| Daisy-chained cords | N/A | Raises resistance and overheating risk |
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated portable space heaters were involved in roughly 1,700 fires per year between 2017 and 2019, some causing fatalities; this data supports caution when using extension cords with heating appliances.
Context & impact
Extension cords are useful for temporary low-power needs, but they are not a substitute for properly installed outlets or dedicated circuits. Repeated or prolonged high current will heat connectors, degrade insulation and can melt plugs or receptacles.
Undersized air conditioners that run constantly force compressors to work harder, increasing current draw and the chance of overheating if the unit is plugged into an inappropriate cord. Properly sizing an AC using a BTU calculator and matching it to a suitable circuit can prevent both poor cooling performance and electrical stress.
Beyond fire risk, improper power connections can shorten appliance life, cause erratic operation or void warranties when manufacturers’ installation instructions are not followed.
Official statements
No extension cords whatsoever.
Paul Martinez, Electrified NYC
If a plug on an extension cord melts from a heater, that melting is what starts fires — which is why cords and power strips should only be used for electronics.
Paul Martinez, Electrified NYC
Unconfirmed
- Claims that any specific brand of a heavy appliance is always safe on an extension cord should be verified against the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
- Exact nationwide counts of fires directly attributed to extension-cord use are not provided here beyond the CPSC space-heater estimate.
Bottom line
Avoid plugging the seven listed appliance types into extension cords or power strips. Use dedicated wall outlets and appropriate circuits for high-draw or continuously running devices, and hire a licensed electrician to add outlets or circuits when needed. That simple precaution reduces fire risk, prevents appliance damage and keeps your home safer.