PSA: That dollar store extension cord in your garage is a fire waiting to happen

I stopped by a Dollar Tree in Phoenix last weekend to grab some cheap zip ties for organizing cables. Saw they had a 6 foot extension cord for $1.25. Picked it up out of curiosity and the wire gauge felt thinner than my phone charger cable. No way that thing can handle a space heater or even a shop vac. Why do they even sell these things? Has anyone actually used one of these without it melting?

2 comments

2 Comments

williamt4412d ago

Friend of mine bought one of those dollar store extension cords to run a portable AC unit in his RV. Lasted about 45 minutes before the wire got hot enough to melt the insulation and trip his breaker. I almost bought one for my string lights on the patio but figured I'd just spend the extra two bucks at Home Depot. The scary part is people throw these in with their Christmas decorations and forget about them until something bad happens. My uncle had a fire start from a cheap power strip that was daisy chained with another cheap strip, whole corner of his living room went up. Wire gauge ain't something to gamble on for a buck twenty five.

thomas_roberts12d ago

Forty-five minutes before melting?" That's terrifying, man.