Electrical safety experts are urging an immediate review of nighttime habits: leaving household appliances plugged in can lead to not only inflated electricity bills but also sudden fires.
Real Simple, in collaboration with electricians, has identified seven categories of electronics that should strictly not be left connected while you sleep. Many of these devices are so-called "energy vampires," continuing to drain power even in standby mode, while others pose a direct fire hazard.
Portable heaters top the danger list. Electrician Ben Kolo notes that these devices "remain one of the top causes of residential fires." If left unattended, they can overheat or ignite nearby objects—curtains, furniture, or bedding.
Specialists pay particular attention to equipment with lithium-ion batteries, such as power tools, cordless vacuums, and power banks. Electrician Benjamin Thomas emphasizes: "We are seeing more and more fires started by these batteries while charging." Charging them overnight without supervision is an unjustified risk.
The "blacklist" also includes kitchen appliances (kettles, toasters) and beauty tools (hairdryers, curling irons). Even a minor thermostat malfunction or mechanical damage can trigger overheating. Furthermore, experts advise against leaving smartphones and laptops charging overnight: this shortens battery life and generates excess heat.
Entertainment systems, such as gaming consoles, are best connected via a power strip with a switch, allowing you to cut the power with a single click.