Summer Safety Alert: Why Your Power Strip Could Cost You Your Home!

This summer, one simple mistake could cost you your home: Never plug an air conditioner into a power strip. Always use a wall outlet instead.

This seemingly innocent habit could be the difference between a cozy home and a devastating inferno. As temperatures skyrocket and ACs work overtime, fire officials are raising red flags about the hidden dangers lurking in those innocent-looking power strips (you know, those multi-outlet extension cords we all have).

In the coastal city of Busan, two separate apartment fires in just two weeks have claimed the lives of four children. The suspected culprit? Overloaded extension cords.

On July 2, tragedy struck in Gijang County when two sisters, aged 9 and 6, lost their lives in a fire. The Busan Fire Department and local police found a smoking gun: a dual-socket power strip connected to both a standing AC and its outdoor unit showed signs of electrical shorting. The power strip was too damaged to determine its capacity, but the message was clear.
Just nine days earlier, another heartbreaking incident in Busanjin District claimed the lives of two more sisters, aged 10 and 7. The likely cause? A single power strip overloaded with multiple devices, including a desktop computer.

Fire safety experts are adamant: these tragedies didn’t have to happen. Most extension cords aren’t built for energy-hungry appliances, and during a heatwave, the risks skyrocket.

So, what can you do to keep your cool without setting your home ablaze? The Korea Consumer Agency’s 2022 safety guidelines offer some life-saving tips:

• Never, ever plug power-hungry appliances like ACs, fridges, or washing machines into a power strip. Wall outlets are your best friend here.
• Resist the urge to turn your power strip into an octopus. Overloading is a big no-no.

• • Be a label detective: always check the voltage and current ratings before plugging in.
• • Don’t play extension cord Jenga. Daisy-chaining strips is a recipe for disaster.

• If your cord looks like it’s been through the wringer, it’s time for a replacement.

The numbers don’t lie. In Busan alone, nearly 30 percent of all residential fires (6,971 out of 23,547) from 2020 to 2024 were sparked by electrical issues. Even more alarming? Fires caused by outlets jumped 27% in just five years.

To drive the point home, the Busan Fire Department is planning a live demonstration this Thursday. Spoiler alert: those innocent-looking power strips can turn into fire-breathing dragons when pushed too far.

With the mercury rising, the National Fire Agency isn’t taking any chances. They’ve issued a nationwide fire risk advisory on last Friday, warning of the perfect storm created by soaring temperatures and surging electricity demand.

So, before you crank up that AC, take a moment to check your plugs. Your cool, safe summer self will thank you!