Look for the UL mark — or don't plug it in.

Check the safety certification label first. If it’s missing, blurred, misspelled, or obviously printed on cheap paper, that’s a red flag.

Legitimate extension cords carry marks from testing labs like UL (Underwriters Laboratories), ETL (Intertek), or CSA (Canadian Standards Association). Counterfeiters will often fake these, but they mess up the logo, the font, or the file number. If the label peels off easily or looks like a sticker from a laser printer, don’t trust it.

Next, feel the cord. A genuine 14-gauge cord is thick and stiff. If it’s suspiciously flexible or thin for the rated amperage, it’s probably undersized copper or worse — copper-clad aluminum. Also check the plug blades: they should be solid brass, not thin, flimsy metal that bends.

Price is another clue. If a 50-foot 12-gauge outdoor cord costs $8, it’s not a deal. It’s a fire hazard