Maintaining your outdoor extension cord helps to ensure that it lasts longer. Avoid using it in an area where you have water features, places that tend to accumulate water or snow, or anywhere else that it is likely to get wet. Otherwise, the cord can get damaged, leading to possible electrical fires. Be careful not to drive over the cord, run a lawnmower, or use any other heavy-duty equipment which could prove to be damaging. Don’t overextend your extension cords as this will put undue strain on them. You should avoid connecting multiple cords by buying the correct length in the first place. Remember, you can get cords which extend up to 100ft, which should be more than enough for the majority of jobs. Ensure that you store it properly when it is not in use to stop it getting damaged and to prevent others from tripping. When you unplug it, pull the plug rather than the cord to avoid any unnecessary strain on it. Coil or roll it up the way it was when it was purchased and hang it somewhere it is not going to get trodden on. When you get it back out again, make sure to give it a thorough inspection for wire exposure or cracks around the insulation. Make sure to keep your extension cords cool as they generate heat which need to vent. Uncover them when they are in use, and if they begin to feel too hot, unplug them and attempt to determine the cause. Remember that extension cords should only be used as a temporary power source rather than a long-term solution.