5 Reasons Cheater Plugs Are Not Safe

They remove the ground path The third prong on a plug directs stray current safely into the ground. A cheater plug disconnects that path, leaving you as the path if a wire comes loose.

Most people skip the ground tab The adapter’s metal tab must be screwed into the outlet’s wall screw, which must be grounded. Most users just plug it in without connecting the tab, creating an ungrounded tool with a false sense of safety.

They can energize tool casings Without a ground, a short inside a tool can electrify its metal casing. You won’t know until you touch it, risking shock or electrocution.

They are only safe in one rare scenario The adapter works only if the outlet box is grounded and you attach the tab to the screw. Even then, it is a hack, not a proper solution.

A proper cord or outlet is cheaper than your safety A three-prong extension cord or an electrician replacing the outlet costs far less than the risk of injury. Do not save five dollars on an adapter.