That little charger in the wall isn’t just clutter; it’s a slow, invisible risk most people never question. Even when it’s not powering anything, it keeps drawing current, warming its components and pushing them closer to failure. Over months and years, the parts inside can crack, dry out, or loosen, turning a routine surge or short circuit into smoke, sparks, or worse. What looks like “nothing happening” is actually quiet damage adding up.

There’s also the human side of the danger: a loose cable at child height, a pet chewing on a live lead, a worn plug that doesn’t quite fit but still gets forced into the outlet. All of this comes from a habit that takes no thought to start—and barely any effort to stop. Unplugging the charger when you’re finished is a tiny act of care that can prevent a life-changing disaster.