It may come as a shock to you to learn that those handy double adapters that you use to power two or more of your appliances are at the very top of the list of the most dangerous electrical appliances in your home. Sure, they are convenient and inexpensive, but that convenience can come at a substantial and sometimes deadly cost. Double adapters are a serious fire and electrocution risk; they are commonly used and inexpensive, but they don’t have the safety features that you might expect.
Dangers of Double Adapters
Unlike power boards, for example, double adapters do not have built in overload protection. This means they can overheat easily when carrying heavy power loads, substantially increasing the risk of fire. In fact, overheating double adapters are one of the most common causes of house fire. The dangers don’t end there, however.
Electric shock is a real hazard when using double adapters. Their sloping design makes it too easy to partially disconnect, leaving room for small fingers, jewellery pieces, paper clips and the like to come into contact with one of the live pins, resulting in blowing all your circuits (unless you have a safety switch installed) or, in a worse case scenario, causing electric shock.
Additionally, users of double adapters run the risk of coming into direct contact with live power pins when unplugging the adapter directly from the power point. Yes – it is common sense to switch the power off first – but mistakes can and do happen, particularly when young children are involved.
Perhaps the biggest problem of all with double adapters is the practice of piggy-backing, which many people do to power multiple devices through one power outlet. Not only does this look plain ugly, it is particularly dangerous. Every time you add a double adapter to the power source you significantly increase the likelihood of power overload and an electrical fire.
Many workplaces prohibit the use of double adapters and in some states workplaces are prevented from using double adapters. The reasons are clear: incorrect use of double adapters makes them hazardous and a fire risk.
If you own a double adapter, now is the time to throw it in the bin and make other arrangements to power all your appliances.
At the very least a quality power board should be installed.
But as all the government health and safety sites suggest: if you don’t have enough power outlets you really should install more. When it comes to safety there really are no shortcuts.
If you are on Sydney’s North Shore, or beautiful Northern Beaches, and are concerned about your home or businesses electrical safely, our professional and friendly Everest Electrical team can help. Call us today on 0410 229 139.