What are the risks of using a cheater plug long-term?

[viivo]

After weeks of troubleshooting the noise issue between my PC, DAC, and amp, I'm giving up and going with the only method that completely eradicates the problem: a cheater plug on the amp.

It's close to storm season, and while I've never experienced any lightning related power surges, I'm still wary of any potential dangers the plug could introduce in the event of one.

 

[onevstheworld]

I'm not an electrician but I think I've got a reasonable grasp of electrical safety.

The "good" news: you don't need to worry about lessening the protection against lightning. A ground doesn't protect your equipment against lightning strike... it'll get equally fried whether you have one or not. You need a surge protector for that.

The bad news: a cheater plug increases the chance of you getting fried if there is a short between the live elements of your amp and it's metal exterior. Modern houses should have a RCD in the fuse box but I don't believe that completely eliminates the risk of electrocution by itself.
Edit: A fuse won't necessarily protect you either... it's main function is to protect against excessive current causing fire (a human can be fried at lower currents)