My electrician just told me never leave a charger plugged in without your phone!

In today’s tech-driven world, leaving a phone charger plugged in without a device attached seems harmless. Many of us do it out of habit, convenience, or simple forgetfulness. But according to electricians and safety experts, this common practice carries hidden risks that could damage your charger, waste energy, and even create a fire hazard.

If you’ve been doing this for years without knowing the potential dangers, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Let’s dive into why you should stop leaving chargers plugged in when not in use and what you can do instead to keep your home safe and energy-efficient.

How Chargers Work: The Science Behind the Risk

To understand why leaving your charger plugged in without a device is a bad idea, it’s important to know how chargers function.

  • AC to DC Conversion – Your phone charger takes the alternating current (AC) from your wall outlet and converts it into direct current (DC), which is safe for charging your device’s battery.
  • Continuous Power Draw – Even when your phone isn’t connected, the charger still draws electricity, albeit at a low level. This is known as vampire energy or phantom load—small amounts of wasted energy that add up over time.

Now, while this might seem insignificant, the long-term effects can be serious.

The Hidden Dangers of Leaving a Charger Plugged in Without a Phone

You may not notice any immediate issues, but the cumulative impact of keeping chargers plugged in all the time can be costly and even dangerous. Here’s why:

Video : Don’t Leave a Charger Plugged in Without a Device, Here’s Why

1. Fire Hazards: Overheating and Electrical Fires

One of the biggest risks of leaving chargers plugged in is the potential for overheating, which can lead to electrical fires.

  • Chargers that are cheap, damaged, or low-quality are more prone to overheating when left plugged in for long periods.
  • Heat buildup can weaken internal components, making them more likely to short-circuit and spark a fire.
  • If the charger is plugged into a damaged or loose outlet, it can increase the risk of fire even further.

While modern, high-quality chargers have built-in safety mechanisms, older or counterfeit chargers may lack these protectionsUnplugging your charger when it’s not in use is the simplest way to eliminate this fire hazard.

2. Wasted Energy: The Cost of Phantom Power Consumption

Did you know that leaving your charger plugged in contributes to your electricity bill?

  • Chargers still consume electricity even when no device is connected—this is known as standby power drain.
  • A single charger might use only a small amount of electricity, but when millions of people leave chargers plugged in worldwide, the wasted energy becomes staggering.
  • Over time, this unnecessary power consumption increases your electricity bill and contributes to higher carbon emissions.

While the cost per charger may seem small, it adds up—especially if you have multiple chargers and devices around the house.

3. Wear and Tear: Shortening Your Charger’s Lifespan

Leaving a charger plugged in 24/7 puts unnecessary strain on the charger and the outlet.

  • Internal components degrade faster, reducing the lifespan of your charger.
  • The outlet can loosen over time, increasing the risk of electrical arcing, which can lead to sparks and fires.
  • Chargers left plugged in for long periods can become less efficient, meaning they might take longer to charge your phone over time.

By unplugging your charger when it’s not in use, you extend its life and reduce the risk of damaging your electrical outlets.

4. Increased Risk of Power Surges and Electrical Damage

Power surges happen more often than you think—whether due to lightning, faulty wiring, or sudden voltage spikes.

  • When a charger is plugged in without a phone attached, the surge can damage the charger itself.
  • If the surge is strong enough, it can spread to other connected devices and fry your phone or tablet the next time you plug it in.
  • Using a surge protector can help, but the safest option is still to unplug chargers when they’re not in use.

What Experts Say: The Importance of Electrical Safety

Electricians and safety experts consistently warn against leaving chargers plugged in when they’re not needed.

  • Many fires linked to electrical malfunctions start from overheating chargers.
  • The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) advises that small electronic devices should be unplugged when not in use to reduce fire risk.
  • Experts recommend using high-quality, certified chargers and avoiding cheap, knockoff brands, which often lack safety features.

If you want to protect your home and your devices, it’s time to make a small but impactful change.

How to Safely Manage Your Chargers

Now that you know the risks, here are some simple ways to safely handle your chargers:

  • Unplug chargers when not in use – This is the easiest and most effective way to prevent fires, save energy, and extend your charger’s lifespan.
  • Use a power strip with a switch – If unplugging is inconvenient, use a power strip with an on/off switch to cut power to multiple chargers at once.
  • Invest in high-quality chargers – Choose brand-name or certified chargers that meet safety standards. Avoid cheap, off-brand versions.
  • Inspect your chargers regularly – Look for frayed wires, overheating, or any signs of damage. If a charger feels too hot, it’s time to replace it.
  • Keep chargers away from flammable materials – Never place them on beds, sofas, or carpets where heat can build up and start a fire.

Video : What If Charger Is Plugged Into Supply But Not Connected To A Device?

Final Thoughts: Small Habit Changes Can Make a Big Difference

It might seem harmless to leave a charger plugged in without your phone attached, but the risks outweigh the convenience. Overheating, wasted energy, charger damage, and fire hazards are all real concerns that can be easily avoided with a simple habit change.

By unplugging chargers when they’re not in use, you’re protecting your home, saving money, and reducing your environmental impact. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in the long run.

So, the next time you unplug your phone, don’t forget to unplug the charger too!

50 Iconic and Rare Historical Photographs

We at HistoryColored have decided to curate 50 interesting, rare and iconic photos from history. There are many reasons why a photograph may be featured on this list. Some of the reasons include: it was the first time something was ever captured on camera, it shows a famous figure from history, the image depicts an important historical event, it is a “rare” photo that does not get shared as much as it should, or it is an “iconic” historical photo. It may not fall under any of these categories but can still be featured in this list for a different reason.

These photographs are in no particular order. They have been curated and added to the list over a long period of time, so no decision was taken on how they should be ordered. Be sure to take the time to check out every historical photograph featured on this list!

As well as this list, be sure to check out the other photos featured on HistoryColored!

1. The First Photograph Ever Taken, 1826 or 1827

The first photograph in history, the view from a window at Le Gras in 1826 or 1827.
The oldest surviving photograph to exist. It was taken by pioneer photographer, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. The scene depicts a view from a window in Nicéphore Niépce’s estate known as Le Gras in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, Bourgogne, France in 1826 or 1827. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

2. General William Tecumseh Sherman, circa 1865

Side profile photograph of General William Tecumseh Sherman in his Union Army military uniform in c. 1865
Side profile of Union Army Major General, and the Commanding General of the US Army, William Tecumseh Sherman, in his Union Army military uniform in circa 1865. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

3. Dali Atomicus, 1948

Salvador Dali suspended in mid air along with other objects within the iconic photograph Dali Atomicus taken in 1948
The photographic artwork by Philippe Halsman called “Dali Atomicus” showing three cats water, an easel, a chair, and Salvador Dalí all frozen in mid-air, 1948. This was the 28th attempt at taking this photograph. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

4. The Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics, 1927

Key attendees of the 1927 Solvay conference photographed sitting down and in suits. The names are Auguste Piccard, Émile Henriot, Paul Ehrenfest, Édouard Herzen, Théophile de Donder, Erwin Schrödinger, Jules-Émile Verschaffelt, Wolfgang Pauli, Werner Heisenberg, Ralph Howard Fowler, Léon Brillouin,
Peter Debye, Martin Knudsen, William Lawrence Bragg, Hendrik Anthony Kramers, Paul Dirac, Arthur Compton, Louis de Broglie, Max Born, Niels Bohr,
Irving Langmuir, Max Planck, Marie Skłodowska Curie, Hendrik Lorentz, Albert Einstein, Paul Langevin, Charles Eugène Guye, Charles Thomson Rees Wilson, Owen Willans Richardson
The 1927 Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics at the Institut International de Physique Solvay in Brussels, Belgium. This image features many of the greatest scientists in modern history. Some of those that you may recognize are: Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Max Planck, Niels Bohr, and Auguste Piccard. See the full list of names here. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

5. King George V & Tsar Nicholas II Together, 1913

Nicholas II of Russia photographed alongside similar looking and cousin King George V of the United Kingdom, while wearing military uniform.
First cousins and royals Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (left) & King George V of the United Kingdom (right) photographed together wearing military uniforms in Berlin, Germany, 1913. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

6. The Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, 1909

Photographs of the Manhattan Bridge under construction. You can see the layout of the bridge but there is still a lot to build. March 23 1909.
The construction of the Manhattan Bridge on the East River in New York City. This photograph was taken on March 23, 1909. The bridge finished construction in 1909 and first opened up on the 31st of December 1909. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

7. Soviet Prisoner of War, 1940

An injured Prisoner of War from the Soviet Union with a bandage around his bloody head, with clothing wrapped around his body. He looks cold as he is near the Arctic Circle where temperatures can get to -43 degrees Celsius
An injured Soviet Prisoner of War (POW) dressed in new clothes near the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland, during the Winter War on the 6th of January 1940. Credit: Military Museum of Finland // CC BY 4.0

8. Dr. Wernher von Braun with 5 F-1 Engines

Aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun standing next to five F-1 rocket engines in 1969.
Dr. Wernher von Braun, an aerospace engineer that was a leading figure in Nazi German rocket technology, and then United States rocket technology, photographed standing in front of five F-1 rocket engines in circa 1969. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domains

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