Nina Raemont/ZDNET

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ZDNET's key takeaways

Heavy-duty appliances overload cords, leading to dangerous overheating and fire risks.

Appliances over 1,800 watts need a dedicated wall outlet for safety.

Daisy-chaining extension cords is a major fire hazard and should be avoided.

While extension cords are a standard fix for reaching distant wall outlets, they aren't a universal solution for everything that plugs in. There is a critical distinction between low-power "electronics" and high-draw "appliances."

Although items like refrigerators and toaster ovens are technically electronic, they operate on a different level in terms of amperage requirements.…