CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using Male-to-Male Extension Cords, Secures Delisting from E-Commerce Platforms

CPSC News Releases

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

CPSC has secured removal of hazardous male-to-male extension cords from Walmart, eBay, and AliExpress following identified electrocution and fire risks. The agency warns consumers to immediately stop using and dispose of these cords, which feature exposed prongs that can become energized and have been linked to backfeeding dangers when used with generators.

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What changed

CPSC has secured delisting commitments from major e-commerce platforms (Walmart, eBay, AliExpress) for hazardous male-to-male extension cords manufactured in China. The products, sold in blue, red, or yellow colors with two male ends and three-prong black plugs, pose serious electrocution and fire risks because exposed prongs can become energized when plugged into any power source. These cords are often used for backfeeding generators into residential electrical systems, creating additional risks of carbon monoxide poisoning from enclosed space operation.

CPSC urges all consumers who own these cords to immediately unplug them carefully—avoiding contact with exposed prongs—and dispose of them. Retailers and e-commerce sellers should verify their inventory does not include any of the named products from Shenzhen Lieniao, Wz-Ei Co., Ganjiang New District Yuslow Toys Sales, Shenzhen Tebida Trading, Shenzhen Tuotu Xiaoyi Technology, Hefei Yaduan Trading, or Shenzhen Excellence Wisdom Software. Importers of electrical extension cords should review product designs to ensure no male-to-male configurations are imported or distributed.

What to do next

Stop using male-to-male extension cords immediately and dispose of them safely
Carefully unplug cords avoiding contact with exposed prongs
Verify inventory does not include affected products from named manufacturers

Source document (simplified)

CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using Male-to-Male Extension Cords, Secures Delisting Commitments from e-Commerce Platforms

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Copy link Release Date: March 31, 2026
Male-to-male Extension Cord – blue
Male-to-male Extension Cord – red
Male-to-male Extension Cord – yellow Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has secured the removal of hazardous male-to-male extension cord listings from major e-commerce platforms, including Walmart, eBay and AliExpress, and is warning consumers to stop using these products immediately. These cords have exposed prongs that can become energized when plugged into a power source, creating a serious risk of electrocution or fire. These products should never be used under any circumstances.

The cords are often used to supply power from a generator to a residential electrical system, a dangerous practice known as backfeeding that that can result in serious injury or death from electrocution or fire. Their short length also increases the likelihood that generators will be operated in enclosed spaces or too close to homes, creating a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

CPSC urges consumers to stop using and dispose of these cords immediately. Consumers should unplug them carefully and avoid touching exposed prongs.

The blue, red or yellow extension cords have two male ends with a three-prong black plug and were manufactured in China.

Shenzhen Lieniao Import & Export extension cords sold on eBay.com by part-phone
Wz-Ei Co. Ltd. extension cords sold on Walmart.com by WITYUKE
Ganjiang New District Yuslow Toys Sales Co. Ltd. extension cords sold on AliExpress.com by GOOD LIFE TO U store
Shenzhen Tebida Trading Co. Ltd. extension cords sold on AliExpress.com by Kitchenware store
Shenzhen Tuotu Xiaoyi Technology Co. Ltd. extension cords sold on eBay.com by de-wireless
Hefei Yaduan Trading Co., Ltd. extension cords sold on eBay.com by 4ubenefit
Shenzhen Excellence Wisdom Software Co. Ltd. extension cords sold on AliExpress.com by Famure Drop Shipping
Huizhou Xiyan Digital Co. Ltd. extension cords sold on AliExpress.com by ABSF Tools CPSC is taking this action to prevent these hazardous products from continuing to reach U.S. consumers through online marketplaces.

“Male-to-male extension cords, often referred to as ‘suicide cords,’ pose a serious risk of fire and electrocution and have no legitimate household use,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. “CPSC has warned consumers about these hazards for years. We are now taking the next step by securing delisting commitments from e-commerce platforms to remove these dangerous products from the marketplace.”

The China-based sellers have been unresponsive to CPSC requests for a recall or information about these products.

Nevertheless, CPSC has secured the removal of these listings from the e-commerce platforms where they were sold. In addition, Walmart, eBay, and AliExpress have committed to identifying and delisting similar hazardous products.

Report any incidents involving injury or product defects to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Release Number 26-363 About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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