In today's electronic world, we have 10 items for every outlet: stereos, TVs and lamps, computers, faxes and answering machines. How does a handful of electrical outlet power-up the Starship Enterprise? Simple, just run another extension cord until outlets look like a spaghetti factory and you brownout the neighborhood, or worse, burn the house down. Here's what you need to know about extension cords: the gauge of the wire and the length of the cord determine the power it can safely deliver. The heavier the wire, the more amperage it will safely conduct. A light-duty 16-gauge cord is fine for a table lamp but you'll need a heavy-duty 12-gauge cord to power a circular saw. Also, electric power decreases as length increases. So, for a longer run, always upgrade to a heavier cord for maximum power. And always uncoil an extension cord before using it. Coiled cords build up heat and can melt the outer covering, creating an electrical hazard or even a fire. And that's the On The House tip for today.