We all have little habits we know we should break, even if they seem harmless. They’re not always major life-altering behaviors—sometimes they’re just those small, everyday routines we fall into without even thinking. For me, one of those habits used to be leaving my phone charger plugged into the wall even when it wasn’t charging anything. It seemed like no big deal—harmless, really. But it turns out that simple action can actually come with risks I hadn’t considered.

Let me be honest: unplugging a charger takes what, two seconds? There’s really no excuse. And yet, despite countless reminders from my partner, I’d leave it plugged in every single time. I never thought much of it—what could go wrong with a charger just sitting in the outlet? As far as I was concerned, it wasn’t drawing power, it wasn’t doing anything dangerous, and it wasn’t worth the trouble of unplugging.

That was, until I came across a social media post that completely changed my perspective. It detailed the potential risks of leaving chargers in outlets unattended, and let me tell you, I was startled. I immediately began changing my habits—not just to stop annoying my partner, but because I realized that small habit could come with bigger consequences.

Here’s what I learned: even when your charger isn’t connected to your phone, it’s still drawing a small amount of power from the outlet. Sure, it’s not a lot, but over time, that low-level energy drain adds up—not just in terms of your electric bill, but in unnecessary energy waste. It’s like leaving a light on in an empty room—it doesn’t make sense if you’re not using it.

But even more importantly, that constant low-grade activity wears down the internal components of the charger. Chargers weren’t made to be on standby 24/7. Over time, this can lead to them overheating, especially if there are sudden power surges. In extreme cases—though rare—this can result in smoke, melting plastic, or even fire. While these outcomes aren’t likely with newer chargers that meet modern safety standards, they’re still within the realm of possibility—especially with older or cheaper models.

And then there’s the physical safety side of things. If you have kids or pets in the house, a charger left plugged into a low outlet can be more than just an eyesore. Children are naturally curious and might think it’s something to play with. Pets can easily tug or chew on cords. A quick yank or some rough play could not only damage the charger but could lead to injury or electrical hazards. Worse, if the tip of the charger comes into contact with metal or water, you could be looking at a serious electrical issue.

Of course, let’s be fair: most modern homes and devices are built with safety mechanisms that significantly reduce the risk of anything catastrophic happening. But that doesn’t make it completely risk-free. More importantly, if a habit poses any level of danger—no matter how small—why not eliminate it entirely when it’s so easy to fix?

Unplugging your charger when you’re done using it is such a simple thing. It takes almost no time, no effort, and no sacrifice. And yet the benefits go beyond safety. You reduce power waste, prolong the life of your charger, and create a safer environment for your family. Plus, if you live with someone, they’ll probably appreciate the small effort, too.

So ask yourself: do you usually leave your charger plugged in even when you’re not using it? If so, maybe it’s time to rethink that habit. Like me, you might be surprised at how one tiny change can make a big difference. Drop a comment and let us know—are you guilty of this too, or are you already on the unplug train?