What should you do if a power cord is damaged?

• A. Tuck it behind the appliance and continue using
• B. Keep using but avoid touching cord
• C. Tell an adult and replace or repair as needed
• D. Patch with tape and plug back in

Answer: (C)

Damaged cords are a safety hazard in the kitchen because exposed conductors can shock someone and frayed insulation can spark a fire. The safest move is to stop using the appliance and tell an adult so the cord can be replaced or repaired by a qualified person. If you can unplug it without touching the damaged part, do so and keep others away from the area, but never try to fix or tape the cord yourself. Don’t tuck a damaged cord behind the appliance or continue using it—temporary fixes don’t solve the underlying danger and can hide problems that might cause a serious accident.