Electrical safety advice for household devices

Safety experts recommend changing the habit of leaving electrical devices plugged into outlets 24/7 when they are not in use. Common household items such as night lights and phone chargers are frequently left connected to power sources indefinitely.

For night lights, while they consume low power, leaving them plugged in continuously—especially if the cords are old, degraded, or positioned under furniture where they can be pinched—poses a potential risk. It is advised to unplug them when not needed, particularly before long trips.

Similarly, phone chargers remain connected to the electrical grid even when not attached to a device. While modern chargers consume minimal standby power, leaving them plugged in unnecessarily maintains a constant connection to the grid. Users are cautioned to immediately replace chargers that show signs of damage, such as unusual heat, burning smells, buzzing sounds, or visible cracks and discoloration.