Unplugging your phone charger may seem like a small habit, but it plays an important role in minimizing safety risks, saving energy, and extending the life of your device.
Fire and explosion hazard
Charging devices, especially older or outdated ones, can generate heat and pose a fire hazard. While modern smartphones have safeguards in place to prevent accidents, faulty or outdated chargers can still pose a risk.
Sarah-Jane Knox, director of customer service at the Insurance Council of New Zealand, said in an interview with Radio New Zealand that such fires are often caused by improper charging habits. This can include using the wrong charger, charging a physically damaged device, or overcharging.
To avoid such risks, the London Fire Brigade advises: " Don't leave objects charging after the charging cycle is complete, preferably not leaving a phone plugged in overnight, for example. Never cover a charger or charging device, including using a laptop power cord in bed ," Wales Online reports.
A phone plugged into a power source. Photo by Pexels
Consuming "vampire energy"
Phone and laptop chargers are often left plugged in even when not in use, contributing to the phenomenon of 'electricity vampires' – a state of constant low power consumption. Glen Farivar, a lecturer in power electronics at the University of Melbourne, told The Conversation that this idle power consumption leads to unnecessary waste of electricity.
According to the US Department of Energy, unplugging unused chargers and electronics can save households up to $100 a year.
Risk of electric shock
Sergey Nikoli, president of Product Air Heating & Cooling, told lifestyle magazine Martha Stewart that cheap chargers are often made with poor quality wiring, insulation, and plastics, which can lead to failures.
" A damaged charger is the most dangerous because cracked casings, frayed cables, and loose plugs can easily cause sparks or short circuits ."
Reduced battery life
Leaving your phone plugged in overnight can shorten its battery life. Older phones continue to draw small amounts of power to maintain a full charge, a process known as "trickle charging," which can shorten battery life over time, according to PCMag .
Newer devices come with optimized charging systems, but the process can still contribute to battery wear. As charging cycles generate heat, the battery's performance gradually degrades. Over time, battery damage can lead to expensive repairs, especially in newer models, where accessing the battery requires professional servicing, which can cost more than $150, according to Wales Online .
dangerous habits
Constantly plugging in your charger can also encourage other unsafe habits. If you forget to unplug your charger, you may forget to unplug more dangerous devices, such as irons or space heaters.
' Doing things like that automatically is a useful skill ,' says Nikoli .
