Power It Up!

With all of the electrical gadgets and gizmos that are out there today, we need a way to power them up. Well how do you do it safely - a power strip, but how do you know what you need? Most power strips are similar; they convert one grounded three-prong outlet into more outlets, handy, right! Well, there are a couple of things to consider when choosing yours. First, think about what you're plugging it into. You need to be sure that the combined wattage of what you're plugging in doesn't exceed the wattage of the strip you choose. Second, if the items you're plugging in could be damaged by spikes in electricity you'll want to get a surge protector strip that will help guard against that type of damage. Another problem with today's electrical wonders are the big square plugs that are on phones and other electrical equipment; they block outlets on your strip. An easy solution, look for one with the outlet spaced an inch or so apart. If you have unused outlets on your power strip, plug them up with child protective covers, this will keep them free of dust and debris that could get into the openings.