You know to turn off the lights and lock the doors before leaving for vacation. But there’s another item on the pre-departure checklist that many people forget — unplugging electronic devices to reduce the risk of fire. Even if these electronics don’t cause a home blaze, many of them draw power when they’re not in use (“standby power” is the industry term), which means you’re losing money by leaving them plugged in.
While the best policy is to unplug every electronic device in the home before you go, some are more dangerous or power-hungry than others. Our pros in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute teamed up with safety and energy efficiency experts to compile the following must-unplug list.
Battery chargers
Over the last decade, lithium-ion batteries have become ubiquitous in homes, running everything from e-bikes to power tools to personal computers. The batteries are great at storing a lot of energy in a small housing, but that means they can be quick to overheat if damaged or left on a charger for too long.
Even charging lithium-ion batteries overnight is a no-no, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), since batteries should be removed from the charger once they’re fully charged, to prevent overheating. Under no circumstances should a charger and battery be left plugged in when you’re away from home. NFPA also recommends storing batteries at room temperature and away from anything that can catch fire.
It’s a good idea to unplug smaller charging cords, like those for your phone or computer. While the heat they generate doesn’t pose the same fire hazard, even the low current of electricity that flows continuously to them when they’re plugged in can put added stress on internal parts, leading to premature failure.
Space heaters
Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires, causing close to 40,000 blazes every year, according to NFPA. Space heaters are a major culprit, so it’s crucial to unplug them anytime they’re not in use. “Appliances that produce heat that are left plugged in and do not have an automatic shutoff means pose a hazard risk,” said Corey Hannahs, Senior Electrical Content Specialist at NFPA.
Countertop appliances
Many of these small electronics, including toasters, toaster ovens and electric kettles, also generate high temperatures, which means their heating elements could receive a surge of power during an electrical fault or other malfunction in your home’s wiring. What’s more, crumbs, oil residues and other combustible substances inside the devices make them susceptible to spontaneous ignition.
Home entertainment systems
Standby power accounts for 5 to 10% of a home’s total electricity usage, according to research by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Home entertainment devices are some of the biggest culprits. That includes video game consoles, since the latest versions have features like voice control, gesture recognition and wireless controllers that draw power even when they’re not in use.
It’s a good idea to activate any power saving settings, for example Xbox’s “energy saving mode” or Play Station’s “rest mode.” But when you’re leaving town, go the extra distance by unplugging the consoles completely. Our experts recommend using a power strip with surge protection for all your home entertainment equipment (consoles, TVs, monitors, etc.) so you can power everything off at once, and also protect against sudden spikes in voltage, whether from a lighting strike or faulty wiring.
Hairstyling tools
If you own a curling iron or curling wand, chances are you’ve left it on at least once in your life. That’s why it’s a best practice to unplug these tools after every use. We also recommend unplugging hair dryers, since faulty cords could lead to a fire risk.
Because hairstyling tools are typically used in the bathroom, it’s worth noting the importance of GFCI outlets in these locations (along with the kitchen). Short for ground-fault circuit-interrupters, GFCIs help prevent fires and electric shock by cutting off electricity to damaged equipment, for example a frayed cord or overheated motor.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
