If your extension cord feels hot, stop using it.

Yes, heat is the main warning sign. A cord that is warm to the touch — not just from sitting in the sun — means it’s working too hard.

Other signs: discolored or stiff insulation, a melting or burning smell, buzzing sounds from the plug, or your breaker tripping repeatedly. If you see any of that, unplug it and throw it away. Do not keep using it.

Prevention is simple: don’t overload the cord. Know what you’re plugging in. A 16-gauge cord can handle 13 amps (about 1,500 watts). A space heater alone can eat up 1,500 watts. So don’t plug a heater and anything else into the same cord. Also, never daisy-chain cords (plugging one extension cord into another). And use the shortest cord you can — long cords have more resistance and heat up faster.

If the cord feels warm but not hot, it’s probably okay for a short time. But if it’s hot to the touch, you’re flirting with a fire. That’s not where you save six bucks on a longer cord.