Which action should be taken with damaged extension cords?

• A. Continue using with caution
• B. Repair in place
• C. Use for temporary tasks only
• D. Remove immediately from use and tag Do Not Use

Answer: (D)

Damaged extension cords create serious shock and fire hazards because insulation can be breached, exposing live conductors, and any damage can worsen under load or with movement. The safest action is to remove the cord from use immediately and tag it Do Not Use. This stopping signal communicates clearly to everyone that the cord is unsafe and must not be plugged back in, preventing a potentially dangerous situation.

Repairing in place isn’t reliable or allowed in most safety guidelines because damaged insulation or internal wires can fail unpredictably once energized, and field repairs (patching, taping, or splicing) don’t restore the cord’s rated protection. Continuing to use a damaged cord, even with extra caution, still risks electric shock, short circuits, or overheating that could lead to a fire. Using it for temporary tasks is also unsafe for the same reason—the hazard isn’t eliminated by the cord’s intended use or time frame.

The right move is to replace the cord with a new, properly rated one appropriate for indoor or outdoor use and the intended load, and to tag or securely remove the damaged cord so no one reuses it.