11/07/2025
Recently York Area United Fire & Rescue responded to a reported structure fire in a residential home. The fire was discovered on the outside deck of the home. The cause of the fire was an extension cord that ran across the deck and around deck posts. The wear on the cord due to sharp bends caused it to overheat and cause the fire on the deck. Help us stop future potential fires from occurring. Please read the reminders below on extension cord safety!
Use extension cords only when absolutely necessary. It’s better to plug items directly into outlets, so try to arrange items so they are as close to outlets as possible.
DON’T connect a series of shorter extension cords together. This can be extremely hazardous and raises the risk of fire. If you need a longer cord, there are many sizes available on the market, even going up to 100 feet long
Inspect cords on a regular basis for signs of fraying and wear. Damaged cords can lead to fires. Throw away frayed or broken cords; replacements for any cord are available online and even a pricey cord is less expensive than the insurance deductible for a house fire.
DON’T nail or staple cords to walls or other items. The nails or staples can pe*****te the coating of the wires and cause a short circuit, which can lead to a fire.
DON’T plug extension cords into surge protectors. Extension cords can get hot quickly, especially if other plugs are in the nearby outlets. Be sure to use an extension cord that is long enough for the job every time.
DON’T use extension cords for permanent wiring.
DON’T run extension cords through walls, ceilings or floors. Heat cannot escape which can result in a fire.
DON’T run the extension cord around edges. Sharp bends in the cord will eventually weaken the wiring resulting in overheating