Toaster on or off?

[abacucat]

My DP and I disagree about whether when the toaster is not being used, it should be switched off or on at the plug. I say it should be switched off. DP says it doesn't matter and usually leaves it on. So who is right?

I leave everything on and go out when the dryer and washing machine is on. I’d never have any clothes if I didnt

Mines unplugged and in a cupboard when not in use, I don't get the whole idea of leaving it 'on display'

Toasters aren't on 'display'. They are sat on the counter ready to be used! On our counter we have toaster, kettle, coffee, teabags, lemon juice, …. washing up liquid, plastic containers, mugs ...

Toasters aren't on 'display'. They are sat on the counter ready to be used! On our counter we have toaster, kettle, coffee, teabags, lemon juice, …. washing up liquid, plastic containers, mugs

Of that list I have a kettle and washing up liquid out

The rest is in cupboards. If I ever convince DH about a hot water tap then the kettle’s days will be numbered too.

Off for me. I am really wary of fires after a work colleague left a hairdryer plugged in and her dog accidentally knocked it in causing a devastating fire.

This really winds me up. I would leave everything on at the wall, except for the TV and hair straighteners. DP switches everything off and I fairly regularly come back to a cold kettle or oven because I've just switched the switch and not the one on the wall as well FFS.

We're a family of unpluggers/switch offers here. Why risk it? I do have the time to minimise risks in our lives as life is precious.
A bit surprised at others blasé attitude when a pp has stated they had a bad house fire that required hospitalisation. Why risk it? When we go on holiday even more things get turned off. Fridge/freezer I don't have a choice over but everything else.

What a palaver it must be in households where toasters are carefully stored away to have a quick breakfast or supper although I can see that it might help with low carb dieting if you can't be bothered to get it out.

My toaster and kettle are proudly displayed and plugged in at all times unless someone unplugs them to use the socket for something else and is inconsiderate enough to not plug them in again

Well I suppose I just automatically switch off everything I'm not using but if it's left on it's no big deal

Fridges and freezers rank above toasters in appliances most likely to catch fire, so it's illogical to switch one off and not the other.

I once had a washing machine (when running) make a very loud bang and then lots of smoke came out of it. Was home at the time though. Machine was kaput and had to be replaced. Cannot remember any actual flames though, there was no fire to put out, just smoke.

Does make me wary of going out when washing machine is on, so try to avoid this although occasionally I do.

From the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service:

Switching off at the socket and pulling the plug out is the only way to be sure no electricity is flowing through an appliance. Just using the socket switch isn’t safe because the switch could be broken.

If left plugged-in, many appliances still have power flowing through them even though they look like they’re off. The same is true of equipment in ‘sleep mode’ or on ‘standby’.

Lots of electric appliances contain transformers which retain power, even when the appliance is switched off. If a fault develops, the transformer could overheat and start a fire.

As well as keeping you safer, switching off and unplugging things at the wall will save you electricity and money!

Why would you leave the microwave on but not the toaster? Surely the risk is the same?

And I leave it on.

The mechanical timers on toasters can sometimes malfunction and not fully switch off. I know someone that this happened to but luckily they noticed before it caught fire. Since then I always switch off at the plug socket.

Always leave plug switches on - no, I dont, I dont leave chargers plugged in and switched on. - but everything with an off switch of its own kettle, toaster, tv, fridge and freezer stay on. What's the problem? Is it dangerous?

I switch off the toaster, microwave, washing machine and cooker if they are not being used. For some reason I always leave the kettle switched on though.

In my kitchen the only things that get turned off at the wall are the washing machine and the oven and that is because the washing machine wall switch is right above the machine so it literally takes a second to flick it on/off and the oven is electric so you can't always tell if the hob has been left on or not, so by flicking the wall switch off so the light goes out I know it is 100% off.

For everything else in the kitchen I leave them plugged in if they are something that is used daily (kettle/toaster/microwave) and only things that are stored in a cupboard and used on a less frequent basis get unplugged and put away immediately after use (blender/food processor/sandwich toaster etc)

Around the rest of the house I follow the same principle - so the TV gets left plugged in and on at the wall but my hair straighteners (which are used maybe 3 times a week) are turned off and unplugged after every use.

I switch my toaster off at the plug, because otherwise it has lights on. I leave my kettle on, because it doesn't have lights, and I use it a lot more.