“Electrical products like extension cords that haven’t been tested by UL could prove to be fire hazards and should be avoided,” Alexander warns. Unscrupulous manufacturers aren’t above counterfeiting the Underwriters Laboratories safety certification seal, so even products bearing it might not be safe.
Even if an item doesn’t catch fire, it might not work very well or for very long, Wang points out. “It’s hard to assess quality and dollar store items are usually of lower quality,” he says.