Like many of us, I’ve got a few pesky habits that I’d like to tackle someday. These aren’t earth-shattering issues, but they’re there, and it’s perfectly normal to have them. For some, it might be addictions like smoking, drinking, or eating too much fast food. Others have habits rooted in routine behaviors that they can change if only they remember to do so.

Take my case: I repeatedly left my phone charger plugged into the wall, even when my phone wasn’t charging. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “How difficult can it be to unplug a charger once your phone’s charged?” Honestly, it’s not hard at all.

Yet, my partner has had to remind me countless times. Until recently, I didn’t give it much thought. I wondered, “What harm could come from leaving the charger in the outlet, ready to go?” Surely, none, right?

But that assumption isn’t quite accurate. I stumbled upon a social media post explaining the downsides of leaving chargers in outlets when they’re not actively charging things.

Understanding the repercussions prompted me to change my ways rather swiftly. Now, my partner’s pleased, and I’ve stopped my so-called habit due to concerns about what might happen otherwise.

So, what’s at stake? Even in standby mode, your charger continues to draw power. Although it’s a small amount, it’s still a drain, meaning you’re using electricity without actually charging anything.

Moreover, continuously leaving chargers in outlets can speed up the wear and tear of internal parts. Sudden voltage fluctuations might cause severe overheating, bringing about smoke or, worst-case scenario, possibly even a fire.

Another point to consider is if the charger’s tip encounters water or metal, it could complete a circuit, posing additional risks.

If you’ve got kids or pets roaming around, like in my household, you should be mindful of them inadvertently yanking a charger from the wall, or, worse, treating it as a toy, which may entice young ones to become curious about the outlet itself.

Now, it’s important to emphasize that the risk of a plugged-in charger causing a house fire is extremely minimal. More often than not, today’s strict safety standards mean leaving your charger in an outlet is safe. That said, it’s wise to heed the issues I mentioned earlier, as they deserve consideration.

So, do you habitually leave your charger in the wall, even when it’s not actively charging anything? Feel free to share your thoughts.