There are some items that always stay plugged into outlets even when we’re away for days, including refrigerators, dishwashers and built-in microwaves. But what about the less permanent home devices, such as toasters, hair dryers and coffee makers?
We turned to a licensed electrical engineer to learn which everyday devices pose the biggest risks when left plugged in, and it turns out that some popular items are more of a safety hazard than others.
“My rule of thumb is simple: if it gets hot, pulls a lot of power, or has a sketchy cord, unplug it,” Jerry Poon, principal engineer at Red Dog Engineering, says. “It’s the easiest safety habit you can have.”
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While low-power electronics, such as phone chargers, are typically fine to leave plugged in, some devices need extra care and attention.
“What I see cause issues more often is people plugging high-draw devices into cheap power strips or old, loose outlets and then leaving the house,” Poon says. “That’s where problems start.”
Here are seven devices you should always unplug to keep you and your home safe.
1. Space heaters
There’s a reason space heaters make the top of our list. When used incorrectly, they pose a significant fire risk.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2019 to 2023, fire departments across the US responded to an estimated 38,881 “home heating equipment fires,” with space heaters and heating stoves being the cause of 29% of these fires.
To avoid becoming part of this statistic, never plug your space heater into an extension cord and always unplug it from the wall outlet before you leave your home or when it’s not in use.
2. Air fryers
These countertop appliances are a great addition to your kitchen, but they should be treated the exact same way as a space heater. Meaning, never plug them into an extension cord and never leave them plugged in when not in use, even if they are not turned on.
“‘Turned off’ isn’t always the same as safe,” Poon says. “Some devices still have power flowing when they’re off, especially anything with a standby mode, digital display or remote control. The bigger concern [with] heat-producing devices, even when off, [is] a failure inside the device or cord can cause problems if it’s plugged in.”
3. Portable AC units
Portable AC units are considered a “high-draw” device, so even though they don’t produce heat, they’re another device that should always be unplugged when you leave your home.
4. Hair tools
Although there is an off switch on hair dryers, curling wands and straightening irons, that doesn’t mean they should remain plugged in even when turned off. As Poon explained, the off switch could fail, which poses a safety hazard.
5. Older coffee makers
Older coffee makers pose more of a risk than new ones, because they might not have an automatic shut-off option, which means they could overheat if you forget to turn it off or unplug it on your way out.
Regardless of the coffee pot’s age, though, many still recommend unplugging your coffee pot from the wall as an extra layer of protection.
6. Lamps or small devices that have an old cord
“My rule of thumb is simple: if it gets hot, pulls a lot of power, or has a sketchy cord, unplug it,” Poon says. “It’s the easiest safety habit you can have.”
Older, or “sketchy” cords, as Poon says, can also pose a fire hazard if they are frayed. The same goes for old outlets. Your best bet is to have those replaced by a certified electrician before using them.
7. Toasters
Like coffee pots, toasters pose a fairly small fire risk, but in these types of situations, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Unfortunately, never know when a short circuit may occur when any of your devices are plugged in.
“The short version is this: Devices that make heat or have motors are the ones I’d never leave plugged in when I’m gone,” Poon says, later adding, “If something goes wrong, [it goes] wrong fast.”
What about smaller electronics?
For computer monitors, phone chargers, televisions and alarm clocks, Poon says these don’t pose the same type of risk and can stay plugged in even when you’re not home.
“These don’t draw much current and generally aren’t a fire risk if the cords and outlets are in good shape,” he says.
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