A charger left plugged into the wall may look harmless. It sits beside your bed or behind a curtain, quietly waiting for the next phone. But many wall adapters continue drawing a small amount of electricity even when nothing is connected.

That idle current can generate heat inside the adapter over long periods. With a high-quality, undamaged charger, the risk is generally low. But old, damaged, counterfeit, or poorly manufactured adapters can become dangerous, especially when they overheat or develop electrical faults.

Where you place the charger matters, too. An adapter under a pillow, buried beneath clothing, pressed against bedding, or surrounded by other objects cannot release heat easily. Blocking ventilation can cause temperatures to rise unnecessarily.

Pay attention to warning signs. A charger that becomes unusually hot, makes a buzzing or crackling sound, smells like melting plastic, shows discoloration, or has a damaged cable should be unplugged immediately and replaced. Never ignore physical damage simply because the charger still appears to work.

Unplugging unused chargers also eliminates their standby power consumption. Although one adapter uses very little electricity, several unused chargers operating continuously can add up over time. Removing them from the outlet is an easy way to reduce unnecessary energy use.

There is another benefit: unplugging reduces the amount of time an adapter remains exposed to electrical stress and unexpected voltage events. A charger that spends less time energized may also avoid unnecessary wear, although this does not replace using a properly certified, quality product.

The safest habit is simple: charge your device, then unplug the adapter when practical. Keep chargers on hard, open surfaces rather than under blankets or pillows, and avoid overloading outlets or power strips.

A tiny change at the outlet can prevent a much bigger problem. Before going to bed or leaving the house, take a quick look at your chargers. If one is damaged, unusually hot, or smells strange, don’t take chances—unplug it and replace it with a reputable, safety-certified model.