Limit the ____ of appliance cords in each outlet.

• A. Length
• B. Strength
• C. Number
• D. Width

Answer: (C)

Prevent overloading an electrical outlet by limiting how many cords are plugged into it. Outlets are wired to carry a specific amount of current, and stacking multiple cords and appliances on one outlet can push the draw beyond what the circuit can safely handle. When the demand is too high, the outlet can overheat, a fuse may blow, or a circuit breaker can trip, and in worst cases a fire could start. In kitchens, where powerful devices like microwaves, coffee grinders, and toasters are common, spreading the load across different outlets or dedicated circuits is an important safety practice. Using a single outlet for many devices without regard to current draw doesn’t address the real risk, whereas limiting the number of cords targets the root problem: excessive current on one receptacle.