In today’s world, our homes are filled with gadgets — laptops, phone chargers, TVs, gaming consoles, coffee makers, and more. With so many devices competing for limited wall outlets, the humble power strip (also known as a surge protector or “alargue” in Argentina) has become a household essential.

It’s convenient. It’s affordable.
But here’s the truth:
👉 Using a power strip incorrectly can be dangerous — even deadly.

While power strips are incredibly useful, they are not designed to handle the power demands of every appliance. Misuse can lead to overheating, electrical fires, and costly damage to your devices — or worse, your home.

In fact, electrical issues cause nearly 30% of home fires, and overloaded power strips are a leading culprit.

Let’s break down the risks — and which appliances should never be plugged into a power strip.

How Power Strips Work — And Where They Fall Short
A power strip is essentially an extension of your wall outlet, allowing you to plug in multiple devices at once. Many come with:

Circuit breakers
Surge protection
On/off switches
But here’s the catch:
Every power strip has a maximum power capacity, usually listed in watts (W) or amperes (A).
Most standard strips handle up to 1,800–2,000 watts — but many appliances exceed this limit, especially when used together.

When you plug in too many high-wattage devices, the strip can:

Overheat
Melt
Spark
Catch fire
And because power strips are often tucked behind furniture, under rugs, or near curtains, a fire can start unnoticed.

Appliances That Should NEVER Be Plugged Into a Power Strip
These devices draw too much power and should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet: