> I assume that anything I buy in a store for general use is suitable for general use unless specified otherwise.
That's not a safe thing to assume, or at least, the way it's specified otherwise is with a current rating.
I had to work at it a bit to find one on Amazon; a search for "lamp extension cord" led me to the sort of thing I'm talking about[0]. These do show up in retail stores, especially low-cost stores (e.g. dollar stores, but I wouldn't be shocked to find one at a Walmart). This cord is rated for 5A. A standard American household breaker is rated for 15A (and it's possible to encounter 20A). Plugging in a hair dryer, toaster oven, or space heater with this cord is a fire hazard.
I note the plug shown in a photo says 10A while the description says 5A. I don't know which is true.
So yes, should, because you can walk out of a retail store with a combination of electrical devices that will burn your house down when used in a way that would appear safe without that knowledge.
That's not a safe thing to assume, or at least, the way it's specified otherwise is with a current rating.
I had to work at it a bit to find one on Amazon; a search for "lamp extension cord" led me to the sort of thing I'm talking about[0]. These do show up in retail stores, especially low-cost stores (e.g. dollar stores, but I wouldn't be shocked to find one at a Walmart). This cord is rated for 5A. A standard American household breaker is rated for 15A (and it's possible to encounter 20A). Plugging in a hair dryer, toaster oven, or space heater with this cord is a fire hazard.
I note the plug shown in a photo says 10A while the description says 5A. I don't know which is true.
So yes, should, because you can walk out of a retail store with a combination of electrical devices that will burn your house down when used in a way that would appear safe without that knowledge.
[0] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5C88B1M