Extension cords are used and abused, and can be great annoyances, especially during the holiday season. The tangles and knots caused by improper extension cord usage and storage can not only be a problem for you during outdoor holiday decorating, but they also promote safety risks. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that about 4,000 injuries associated with electric extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year. Follow these tips, provided by www.thisoldhouse.com, to make sure you’re using and storing your outdoor extension cords safely and correctly.

Proper use:

• Make sure you are using extension cords labeled for outdoor use.
• Never place an extension cord under rugs or through doorways where it can be damaged by heavy foot traffic.
• Don’t use staples or nails to attach extension cords to a baseboard or other surface – this could damage the cord and present a shock or fire hazard.
• To keep your extension cords connected while you are on a ladder or roof, line the cords up side by side and tie them in a loose knot about a foot from the ends, or install locking cord connectors available at most hardware stores.

Proper storage:

• After taking down decorations, coil up the extension cord.
• Avoid wrapping the cord around your hand and elbow- this can kink the cord and result in a tangle.
• One method to wrap up a cord is to hold the cord in one hand and make successive loops (similar to how a cowboy coils a lasso rope). Instead, tie a loop in one end of a rope. Make sure to twist the cord as you are making loops to avoid making figure 8’s in your hand.
• Another method is to use a device called a cord rewinder or retractor. You can store an extension cord without twists if you wind it up on a spool.