Cord and Cable Control

Consolidate

The key to organizing all of those cords hiding behind your TV and in your home office is to round them up into a bundle; one bundle is less messy than several loose ones. Keep the number of cords to a minimum; you should never have more than five cords bundled together at one outlet.

Color code

It’s helpful to color code all of your cords at both ends to eliminate confusion at the power strip. The next time you need to unplug your DVD player, you won’t unplug the stereo by accident. You can even place a label at the base of the cord what appliance or media component it goes to.

Eliminate unnecessary length

Keep cables neatly tucked away from pets and stored at a safe distance from foot traffic. To avoid a big mess and potential danger, keep the unused cord length tightly coiled and secured. Hang the coil on the back of a nearby piece of furniture or with a hook on a hidden spot on the wall, entertainment center, desk, etc.

High-tech, not high maintenance

Keep all of your favorite gadgets quick and easy to access. Designate an area in your home office or just inside the front door where you can charge your cell phone, iPod® or digital camera. Hook these items up to their charger as soon as you return home so the next time you leave, they are ready to go.

Use hooks

To prevent wear and tear, hang your electrical cords on a hook rather than throwing them in the bottom of a drawer where they can become tangled or frayed. For safety reasons, never use staples or nails, which can damage the insulation, when storing cords or affixing them to walls.

Exercise caution

If given a choice, it’s best to plug electronics directly into the wall. Use an extension cord only when the cord isn’t long enough. Using the wrong cord or using it incorrectly can create safety hazards, so be sure to read the labels before plugging in.