Leaving a charger plugged in when not in use can be a surprisingly risky habit. Here’s why:
-
Fire Hazard: A plugged-in charger, especially cheap or low-quality ones, can overheat over time, potentially causing a fire. If the charger is faulty or of poor quality, it may lead to dangerous electrical malfunctions.
-
Energy Waste: Chargers that are left plugged in continue to draw power, even if the device is not connected. This is known as “phantom” or “standby” energy consumption. Over time, this can add up to unnecessary electricity costs.
-
Battery Damage: Some chargers can deliver a trickle charge even when the device is fully charged. This can slowly degrade the device’s battery health, reducing its lifespan.
-
Wear and Tear on the Charger: Continuous power to a charger can lead to wear and tear. Over time, this can make the charger less efficient or even cause it to fail entirely.
-
Electrical Surge Risk: In the event of a power surge, leaving a charger plugged in increases the risk of damaging both the charger and your device.
For safety, it’s a good idea to unplug chargers when they’re not in use, helping to avoid these risks and increase the longevity of your devices and chargers.