(Feature Impact) Power strips make it easy to add outlets where families need them, but they aren't designed to handle every appliance in the home.

Plugging certain high-powered appliances into a power strip can overload it, potentially causing overheating and increasing the risk of an electrical fire.

"Power strips are so common that it's easy to assume anything with a plug can safely go into one, but that's not the case," said Bonnie Lee, vice president of property claims at Mercury Insurance.