Electricians Say You Should Always Unplug These 7 Household Items Before Bed
We all have our little rituals before we head to bed. You probably check that the front door is locked, make sure the stove is off, and maybe set out your clothes for the next morning. It feels good to know the house is secure while we sleep. But electricians warn that most of us are skipping a crucial safety step. Leaving certain items plugged in overnight isn't just a waste of electricity. It can actually be a serious fire hazard.
Portable Space Heaters
These cozy little machines are wonderful for chilly winter nights, but they are also a leading cause of residential fires. Electricians warn that space heaters draw a massive amount of power and can easily overheat if left running unattended. There is also the risk of them tipping over or igniting nearby curtains or bedding while you are asleep. If you are cold, it is much safer to grab an extra blanket than to leave these heaters running all night.
Phones And Laptops Charging
It has become second nature for many to plug our phones in right before we close our eyes, but experts suggest we break this habit. Even though modern devices stop charging when they hit 100 percent, they still draw a small trickle of power known as standby energy. More importantly, charging overnight generates unnecessary heat which can degrade your battery life over time. It is better to charge them during the evening while you are still awake and unplug them before bed.
Lithium Battery Gadgets
You might not realize how many things in your house run on lithium-ion batteries now. This includes your cordless vacuum, power tools, and even your electric toothbrush. These batteries can be volatile if they overheat or if the charger is slightly damaged. Electricians point out that fires related to these chargers are becoming more and more common. Once these devices are fully charged, you should pull the plug rather than just letting them sit on the charger.
The Entertainment Center
Your TV and gaming consoles are some of the biggest energy vampires in your home. Even when they are turned off, they are often sitting in a standby mode that drains electricity constantly. While the fire risk is lower here, the cost to your wallet adds up. Using a power strip for your media center makes this easy. You can just flip one switch to cut the power to everything at once before you go to sleep.
Kitchen Countertop Appliances
We tend to leave the coffee maker and toaster plugged in because we use them every single morning. However, these high-load appliances can develop internal faults that you might not notice until it is too late. A crumb tray in a toaster can catch fire, or a short in a kettle base can cause overheating. Unplugging them is a simple way to eliminate that risk completely and protect your kitchen while you are not in the room.
Hair Styling Tools
This one seems obvious, but it is a frequent cause of bathroom fires. Curling irons and straighteners get incredibly hot and hold that heat for a long time after you turn them off. If you leave them plugged in, there is always a chance they could be bumped on accidentally or malfunction. Make it a strict rule to unplug them the second you are done styling your hair to keep your bathroom safe.
Anything With A Damaged Cord
Take a quick look at your lamps and older electronics. If you see a cord that is frayed, a plug that looks loose, or if you hear a crackling sound when you move it, unplug it immediately. Most electrical fires start from these small, overlooked issues that we ignore for too long. If an item is in poor shape, do not take the risk of leaving it connected to power while you are sleeping.
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It might seem like a hassle to run around unplugging things every night, but it quickly becomes a habit you won’t even have to think about. You do not need to unplug everything, just focus on these high-risk items. It is a small effort that saves you money on your electric bill and, more importantly, keeps your family safe. You will sleep a little sounder knowing you have done everything you can to prevent an accident.
Bliss Donahue-Power
