Follow These Five Tips to Safely Store Your Extra Extension Cords and Electrical Cords

If you are like most people, you likely have plenty of extra cords lying around. There are plenty of things you can buy to organize them, but there are also free and low-cost solutions that help you safely store them. Read on to learn about five of them, then contact Sonner Electric at 661-728-0126 if you need residential or commercial electrician services.

1. Store Cords in Tidy Loops

You can take your extension cords and tie them into tidy loops. Then hang them from a heavy-duty hook in the garage, basement or storage area. If you have many cords, make sure that they are looped in the same direction. This prevents them from getting tangled. Every time you loop them around, use the other hand to pick the cord out so that you will have consistent loops. Remember that these cords can get heavy, so be sure to choose a hook that can handle the weight.

2. Use an Old Electrical Wire Spool

If you happen to have an old electrical wire spool around, that is a great option for storing cords. If you do not have that specific item, think of anything you might have that is of a similar shape. Even something like the tube from a roll of paper towels might work. Now just wrap the cords around the cylinder, being sure to wrap in the same direction and not doing so too loose or too tight. Put that spool in a basket or bin and know that it is not going to get tangled.

3. Store Your Electrical Cords Away from Heat Sources

You might think that an electrical cord that is not plugged into anything is not any more dangerous than anything else. However, think about the thick plastic that is installed around the cords. That plastic is meant to conduct heat and electricity – and it can do the same for a fire. Keep your electrical cords far away from your oven, boilers, and other hot spots.

4. Keep Cords Away from Kids

There are several potential dangers that cords can pose to children. First, they are a hazard because a child can play with it, accidentally get it around their neck, and suffocate. Second, they might realize that mom and dad plug things into the cord and decide that it would be fun to play with electricity. This is not acceptable. Cords should be kept away from kids.

5. Get Rid of Cords You Don’t Need

It seems like everyone has a never-ending pile of cords that they are not even sure they need. If you do not know what it is and worry that you will throw away something you need, put a label on with today’s date. If you have not used it in a year, then you can likely throw it away without worry.