It's cold. Keep plugging that space heater directly into the wall, America. "Let's say you connect [an extension cord] to a floor heater," Martinez says, "the plug melts and it starts a fire.

Regarding indispensable household items, the extension cord ranks pretty high on the list. They are wonderfully handy for connecting household items to faraway wall outlets and can be a lifesaver ...

Do not plug this into an extension cord A microwave is found in most homes. It can draw significant energy, and connecting it to an extension cord may lead to electrical circuit overload.