My laptop almost died in a Lisbon cafe because I ignored one basic thing

The power strip I'd been plugging into for months had a frayed cord I never checked, and it sparked when I moved my chair. What's your go-to method for checking the power situation in a new spot?

2 comments

2 Comments

paul_nguyen21d ago

I always look for the actual outlet behind furniture, not just the strip. Moved a couch once and found the wall plug was loose, which makes any power strip risky no matter how good it looks. That frayed cord is bad, but a bad connection at the source is just as dangerous.

kim.sandra21d ago

Honestly, I never check the power strips. It feels like overkill. Most cafes and co-working spots have their stuff together, and if a cord is a little worn, it's probably still fine. I've used some pretty janky looking outlets in hostels and libraries for years without a single spark. You got unlucky, but constantly inspecting every plug before you sit down just wastes time.