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What We Protect
- Farm
- Home
- Auto
- Commercial
Who We Are
In The Community
Resources
- Blog
- News
Contact Us

Extension Cord DO’S AND DON’TS

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Extension Cord DO’S AND DON’TS

Is Your Home Keeping Pace with Your Electricity Needs?

Best laid plans to extend the reach of an electrical appliance might just go up in smoke.

Electrical fires due to faulty wiring are one of the most common causes of fires in both homes and buildings. And, they are completely preventable.

Use extension cords only temporarily and with care. Voltage decreases over distance and that can cause overheating in appliances that have minimum voltage requirements. Keep these tips in mind when using them around your home or business.

What to look for

Cords with a recognized seal of approval from either the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
Extension cords rated appropriately for the appliance

Don’t

Hang extension cords over nails
Use an extension cord with a wire size (gauge) smaller than the appliance or tool cord
Run extension cords under rugs or furniture
NEVER plug an extension cord into another extension cord

Never use extension cords for high electrical load appliances such as

Portable heaters
Refrigerators or freezers
Portable air conditioners
Toasters or toaster ovens
Electric kettles or frying pans
Microwave ovens
Swimming pools, hot tubs, or sump pumps

Do you own a farm?

Extension cords are not approved wiring for use on farm fuel tank pumps for diesel or gasoline. Talk to your licensed electrical contractor about installing the appropriate receptacles, permanent wiring and over-current protection required for each specific situation to meet the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

Want to be sure? Your Broker can help identify some of the risks in your home or business. Give them a call to see if you are covered for fires dues to appliance or electrical equipment breakdown. And, remember to keep your Broker up to date on any changes to your home generally.

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Grenville Mutual Insurance Company
380 Colonnade Drive
Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0
Telephone: (613) 258-9988
Fax: (613) 258-1142

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1 (800) 267-4400

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