'Suicide Cords' Pulled from Major E-Commerce Platforms

No standard or safety agency in the world permits this configuration, yet these products were found on Walmart, eBay and AliExpress.

David Mantey

Apr 1, 2026

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has had these "suicide cords" removed from major e-commerce platforms, including Walmart, eBay and AliExpress.

CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) yesterday announced that it has had male-to-male extension cords, often referred to as "suicide cords," removed from major e-commerce platforms, including Walmart, eBay and AliExpress.

The CPSC issued a warning to consumers to stop using the products immediately as they create a serious risk of electrocution or fire. The products should never be used under any circumstances, the CPSC said.

"Male-to-male extension cords, sometimes referred to as 'suicide cords,' present a serious and often misunderstood safety hazard," said Ralph Bright, vice president of marketing and IT at Interpower, a U.S. manufacturer of cords and power system components based in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Unlike standard extension cords, both ends have exposed male prongs, so when one end is plugged into a power source, the prongs on the other end are immediately energized, which creates a direct risk of electric shock or electrocution upon contact.

“Beyond the danger to the user, these cords can bypass a home’s built-in electrical protections by reversing the intended flow of electricity, increasing the likelihood of overloaded circuits, electrical arcing, and fires within walls," Bright said.

Despite these risks, some individuals use these cords as a shortcut to power their homes during outages by connecting a portable generator directly to a wall outlet, a practice known as backfeeding.

"While it may seem convenient, [backfeeding] can send electricity back into utility lines, posing a potentially fatal threat to workers who may believe the lines are de-energized, and can also contribute to improper generator placement and carbon monoxide exposure," Bright said. According to the CPSC, the cords’ short length increases the likelihood that generators will be operated in enclosed spaces or too close to homes, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

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

No cord set standard or safety approval agency in the world permits a plug-to-plug configuration—it is explicitly prohibited in electrical standards. According to Bright, manufacturers supplying such cords can face serious consequences, including fines, loss of product safety certifications, or even having products banned from entire markets.

"Male-to-male extension cords have no approved safe use, and safer alternatives such as transfer switches or properly routed extension cords should always be used instead," Bright added.

The blue, red or yellow extension cords identified below by the CPSC were manufactured in China. The Chinese sellers have been unresponsive to CPSC requests for a recall or information about these products.

CPSC is taking this action to prevent these hazardous products from continuing to reach U.S. consumers through online marketplaces.

Still, the 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, according to the CPSC.

Consumers should report any incidents involving injury or product defects to the CPSC.