Behind the TV, under the desk, next to the tree: extension cords are everywhere. Handy, but among the top preventable causes of fire. The good news: almost everything comes down to a few mistakes that are easy to avoid.
The handiest electrical item… and the most misused
Behind the TV, under the desk, beside the tree: extension cords and power bars are everywhere. Handy, yes — but they also top the list of preventable house-fire causes. The good news: almost every accident comes from a few specific mistakes, easy to avoid once you know them. And often, a “permanent” extension cord hides a real gap: you’re missing an outlet.
The 5 classic mistakes
Each is a common shortcut — and each can heat a wire to the breaking point.
Plugging one bar into another
The “daisy-chain” of power bars (one into another) piles loads onto a single point and defeats the protections. Don’t.
A heating appliance on a cord
Space heater, air conditioner, microwave, kettle: never on an extension cord or bar. They draw too much current continuously — the #1 fire scenario.
A crushed or hidden cord
Under a rug, behind heavy furniture, caught in a door: the wire heats without being able to cool, and the insulation eventually fails.
The “permanent” extension cord
An extension cord is a temporary fix, not an installation. Left in place, it ages, you forget it, and risk builds up.
An extension cord is temporary — period
If you use an extension cord or bar permanently in the same spot, it’s not an extension-cord problem: you’re missing an outlet. That’s the real message. Adding an outlet where you need it is simple, affordable, and eliminates the risk in one shot — plus it makes the unsightly trailing cord disappear. We cover it in our guide “Not enough outlets: what to do.”
What can go on an extension cord — and what can’t
✔ Fine (low load)
Lamp, phone or laptop charger, TV, console, internet box, small fan, LED decorations. Devices that draw little and intermittently.
✘ Never (high load)
Space heater, air conditioner, microwave, fridge, freezer, dryer, cooktop, heavy tools. Anything that heats or has a big motor needs a wall outlet — ideally a dedicated circuit.
When to unplug immediately
An extension cord or bar should never show these signs. If they appear, unplug and discard it.
- The cord, plug or bar is hot to the touch.
- A hot-plastic smell or burn marks / discoloration.
- The plug no longer holds in the outlet, or sparks when connected.
- The wire is cracked, bare or taped-up.
- The bar crackles or its light blinks abnormally.
Not all power bars are equal
If you must use a bar (temporarily), choose it well:
- A built-in breaker (reset button) that cuts out on overload.
- A recognized certification: cUL, CSA or ULC — a safety guarantee, not a detail.
- For sensitive electronics (TV, computer), a surge-protector bar, not a plain power strip. They’re two different things.
- A rating suited to what you plug in, and never beyond its stated capacity.
Tired of extension cords? We install the outlet you need
A CMEQ-certified company holding an RBQ licence, serving Greater Montreal, Laval, the North Shore, the Laurentians and Lanaudière. We replace the trailing cord with a real outlet, in the right spot and to Code — safe and discreet.
An extension cord plugged in permanently?
It means an outlet is missing. We install one cleanly, right where you need it.
What people ask us
Can you plug a power bar into another power bar?+
No. Chaining power bars (plugging one into another) piles loads onto a single connection point and bypasses the protections. It’s a common cause of overheating. Each bar should plug directly into a wall outlet, and you should avoid overloading it.
Can I plug a space heater into an extension cord?+
Never. A space heater draws a lot of current continuously, which heats an extension cord or bar beyond its capacity. It’s one of the main fire causes in winter. A space heater must plug directly into a wall outlet, ideally on a circuit that isn’t already loaded.
Why does an extension cord become dangerous over time?+
Because you forget it. An extension cord is meant for temporary use; left in place, it wears, gets crushed under furniture or a rug, heats without cooling, and its insulation eventually cracks. If you need it permanently, an outlet is missing at that spot.
What’s the difference between a power bar and a surge protector?+
A power bar just multiplies outlets. A surge protector, in addition, absorbs voltage spikes to shield sensitive electronics like the TV or computer. For whole-home protection against lightning and Hydro surges, a surge protector installed at the panel is the most reliable solution.
Which devices can I safely plug into an extension cord?+
Low-consumption devices: lamp, charger, TV, console, router, small fan, LED decorations. Avoid anything that heats or has a big motor: space heater, air conditioner, microwave, fridge, dryer, heavy tools. Those require a wall outlet, often on a dedicated circuit.
How do I know if my cord or bar is overloaded?+
It heats up, gives off a hot-plastic smell, shows burn marks, crackles, or its built-in breaker trips. The plug may also no longer hold in the outlet. In all these cases, unplug immediately and replace the item — don’t repair it with tape.
Can a power bar really cause a fire?+
Yes, especially a low-end bar that’s overloaded, chained to another or hidden behind furniture. The built-up heat can ignite surrounding dust and materials. Choose bars certified cUL, CSA or ULC, with a built-in breaker, and never exceed their capacity.
I need an extension cord permanently — what’s the solution?+
Have an outlet installed where you need it. It’s simple, affordable and eliminates the risk in one shot, plus it removes the trailing cord. At Groupe Quenneville, adding an outlet is done in one visit: a regular service call is $150 travel plus $140/hr (1 hr minimum).
