Skip the extension cord for your fridge.

Don’t. Refrigerators and freezers pull a big surge when the compressor kicks on, and most extension cords can’t handle it safely. A cord that’s too long or too thin will heat up, drop voltage, and can cause the compressor to fail or start a fire. The manufacturer almost always says “no extension cord” for a reason.

If you truly have no other option — like a kitchen remodel and the outlet is behind a wall — then you need a heavy-duty, 12-gauge, grounded cord rated for 15 amps or higher. Keep it as short as possible (25 feet max). Make sure it’s fully uncoiled and not hidden under a rug or stapled to the baseboard. Check the cord and plug regularly for warmth. Hot cord = bad.

But honestly? Call an electrician. A dedicated outlet costs a few hundred bucks. A ruined fridge or a fire costs a lot more.