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For Safety’s Sake, Clean Up Your Cords

Posted: April 1, 2018 at 7:00 am
Messy Electrical Cords
If you have a mess of electrical cords lurking behind your desk or TV cabinet, it is time for a little cord cleanup.

If you pull your desk or TV cabinet away from the wall, you might find a tangle of cords, cables, wires and plugs. That is not good for your electronics. It also could lead to a fire if all of the cords are plugged into the same over- loaded power strip. Here is what to do:

  • Unplug everything—computer, scanner, phone charger, TV, speakers and printer. You likely will find cords not attached to anything. Weed out unneeded cords.
  • Remove extension cords. They are not for permanent use and are unnecessary if your plug or power strip is close to your devices.
  • Dust the cords, vacuum the floor and wipe down the wall around the outlet.
  • If you have more than one power strip plugged into a single outlet, move some to other outlets. You can overload a circuit and tax your electrical supply. If you do not have enough outlets, call a licensed electrician to add more.
  • Invest in a few Velcro cable ties. Bunch your remaining few cords together like a bouquet of flowers and wrap the tie around them. This will keep them neatly together.
  • Drill a hole into the back of your computer desk or TV cabinet big enough for all of the cords to pass through. That will keep the cords together and off the floor.