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 ...

This versatility is especially helpful when using multiple light types or connecting to different outlets. Make sure that the power capacity of the extension cord matches the demands of your light ...