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Original poster

Settle this for me, in your house DO you or do you NOT...

398 replies

SitOnHisFaceIfHeDiesHeDies · 30/07/2025 11:20

Leave the TV on standby? As in if you know you're not going to be using it again for the next few hours / days do you switch it off via remote control or do you switch off the actual plug?

Go...

OP posts:
Frogs88 · 30/07/2025 14:45

Off at the plug as the toddler has normally hid the remote somewhere…

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 30/07/2025 14:50

Standby, even if we're away on holiday.

Libre2 · 30/07/2025 14:51

Never on standby, only as I know someone who had a house fire and he and his family were rendered homeless and the fire brigade put it down to the TV on standby.

Libre2 · 30/07/2025 14:52

popcornpower2025 · 30/07/2025 14:25

Standby. Plug is behind a unit anyway.

I genuinely wonder if anyone knows of any cases of a TV catching on fire because it was left on standby?

Sorry just saw this after I posted my comment above. Yes, someone I used to work with had a house fire, and it was deemed to be from the TV on standby.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 30/07/2025 14:52

Only ever off with the remote unless we are on holiday.

New2you · 30/07/2025 14:57

Standby

IMustDoMoreExercise · 30/07/2025 14:58

Standby.

Leapintothelightning · 30/07/2025 15:01

Standby.
Only turn it off at the plug if we’re going on holiday.

DiaryofWimpy · 30/07/2025 15:02

Standby unless I remember to switch off at the wall which is rare

Alondra · 30/07/2025 15:02

TourdeFrance2025 · 30/07/2025 14:31

I'm not sure. I have an old Phillips TV (that I love) one if the 2 string men to carry type.

the remote has 'standby' & on/off.

I use the remote 'off'

I don't switch it off at the plug.

Show quote history

If you don't switch off the plug, you're switching the TV off on standby.

Flowers
Zanatdy · 30/07/2025 15:03

Mine is on standby 24-7. Unless I go on a 2wk holiday, even then I’d probably forget

MascaraGirl · 30/07/2025 15:06

Buxusmortus · 30/07/2025 11:41

Switched off at the wall until I put it on in the evening, standby during evening if I'm not watching and then off at the wall when I go to bed.
Decades ago a friend had a fireman boyfriend who said that TVs on standby could cause fires so that's why I turn off at night, even though I know tvs have changed hugely since then.

But will a modern tv catch fire if left on standy-by?

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 30/07/2025 15:06

I always turn mine off when I have finished for the day with the on/off button on the side of the TV. I don't see the need to unplug it.
I might occasionally use the standby option if I am popping out for a short while in the evening.

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 30/07/2025 15:08

Alondra · 30/07/2025 15:02

If you don't switch off the plug, you're switching the TV off on standby.

Flowers
Show quote history

Maybe your TV doesn’t have an on/off button. Mine has.

SabbatWheel · 30/07/2025 15:10

Off at the smartplug via Alexa.

TheWibble · 30/07/2025 15:14

Standby, via the remote. I can't reach the plug socket, as it's behind a sideboard.

FuzzyPuffling · 30/07/2025 15:17

TourdeFrance2025 · 30/07/2025 14:34

Why?

if it's only 10 minutes I'll leave mine actually playing...

Show quote history

Saves electricity, saves the planet.

22O725 · 30/07/2025 15:20

TourdeFrance2025 · 30/07/2025 14:41

Each to their own & im sorry about your OCD 🥺 but that would drive me bonkers!
waiting for things like the printer to sort itself out or the TiVo box (that takes AGES).

I have a friend that turns everything off at the wall (including the kettle) and when she stays I have to remember to turn them on at the wall or I flick the kettle in £ winder why it hasn't boiled 5 minutes later!. Drives me loopy 🤣

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Oh just as well you don’t live with me then. It’s no hassle to press a switch on in the morning and off again at night though. The router/tivo takes about 7/8 mins to come on so by the time DH goes for a pee and makes himself a cuppa in the morning it’s done, no real waiting. Haven’t had a printer since about 2007.

ChelseaBagger · 30/07/2025 15:21

Ours is always off at the wall overnight (and therefore usually most of the day as well during the week) Same for the WiFi - goes off at 10pm every evening, and I don't ever leave chargers on overnight either.

I know I'm more paranoid than some about fire risks, but I'm getting anxious thinking about how many people are saying that their plugs/sockets are inaccessible behind furniture - that's not an insignificant fire risk in its own right.

BunnyLake · 30/07/2025 15:24

Downstairs tv switched off at the wall, bedroom tv on standby as I can’t sleep in the dark. I pause it when I get sleepy and am usually asleep by the time the screen goes black.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 30/07/2025 15:24

Standby otherwise nothing will record

Alondra · 30/07/2025 15:26

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 30/07/2025 15:08

Maybe your TV doesn’t have an on/off button. Mine has.

Show quote history

All TVs with or without a remote control have an on/off switch button. If you press it, the TV will turn off but remained on standby unless you unplugged from the main socket power.

If you still have an operative TV from the 90s, it may be a different story.

EverythingElseIsTaken · 30/07/2025 15:30

TV is plugged into the wall via an Alexa controlled socket so is turned on and off via voice command. Sky box always on though because of recording.

thiswilloutme · 30/07/2025 15:31

If you are being properly risk averse then this is the advice from the London fire brigade. Basically leave nothing electrical on at night unless it's a fridge or freezer

Settle this for me, in your house DO you or do you NOT...
whackamole666 · 30/07/2025 15:33

Alondra · 30/07/2025 13:38

They do but it's almost impossible to see it. I had to grab a lantern with the TV instruction on my other hand to see where the off/on switch was in my TV (plus changing channels and increasing/decreasing sound)

People really need to read their TV instructions to find how to find functions without a remote control.

Show quote history

You can also use smart phones as remote control