Whether out of habit or unintentionally, it’s not uncommon to leave a smartphone charger plugged in when it’s not in use. But for safety and to save money, it’s a good idea to unplug it when it’s not doing what it’s supposed to do.

The first reason not to leave your charger plugged in unnecessarily is simply to save on power consumption. Even when it’s not charging your smartphone, a plugged-in charger continues to consume electricity, as if it were “on standby”.

While this usage will remain negligible on your electricity bill, multiplied by the number of chargers in your home, it can add up!

Above all, it’s important to unplug your charger for safety reasons, especially at night or when you’re not at home. This could lead to overheating at any time, especially in older models that may be damaged or of poor quality. Not only can this damage the charger further – in extreme cases, it might even cause them to catch on fire.

Generally, leaving your charger plugged in will also wear it out, as it will be subject to regular electrical fluctuations. In the long term, this will make the charger less efficient.

Finally, in the event of a storm or power failure, the charger could end up being damaged due to a short circuit. As such, getting into the habit of unplugging your charger not only saves energy – it reduces the risk of accidents while extending its lifespan.