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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not allow phone chargers to be on overnight?

244 replies

RamblingRita · 09/12/2018 01:19

Massive issues with adult and teen DC over this. Not only phones but ipads as well.

I have told them I do not want them to be charged overnight as the plugs heat up and they are a fire risk.

They are arguing as they never let devices charge enough in the day as they're always on them.

Sick of same old bullshit argument every night when I just want to get into bedAngry.

So AIBU?

Just to add I am the type to unplug everything but the fridge overnight after a relatives house was burned down due something being left plugged in and fire officer said always unplug everything it's possible to at night.

OP posts:
CoughLaughFart · 09/12/2018 01:22

I haven’t unplugged my charger since I bought it two years ago. What makes you think it will be fine in daylight hours but suddenly burst into flames if you go to bed?

Mrsjohnmurphy · 09/12/2018 01:23

Yabu you are pushing your anxieties onto them, they are likely to just plug back in after you are asleep anyway. Assuming you have adequate smoke alarms, it's an ott worry.

Sethis · 09/12/2018 01:27

Honestly the far bigger issue is that you end up screwing the zero point of the batteries if you leave them plugged in for 8 hours when they only take 45 mins to charge.

Assuming that your house isn't victorian the fire risk is close enough to zero as to be forgettable. You'd be more reasonable to ban them from getting in a car, mathematically, if it's accidents you're concerned about.

Oliversmumsarmy · 09/12/2018 01:28

So when do you charge your phone. Mine runs down the battery even if I am not on it and I am out of the house most days

Wingedharpy · 09/12/2018 01:29

My understanding is that the cheap, universal-type chargers are a fire hazard but that the actual chargers which are supplied with devices are safe.
Could you get some sort of timer switch which the charger plugs in to, then turns it off after x number of hours charge?

TheLittlestLightOnTheTree · 09/12/2018 01:31

'Not allow'

Nah they will just do it anyway... behind your back

BertieBotts · 09/12/2018 01:33

I think the thing is you'd notice quicker in the day, smell smoke/hear smoke alarm etc before it was a disaster.

That said I do charge my phone at night and right next to my bed. I find it more convenient to do this.

My battle over this one is making sure we only have well made chargers. Absolutely no unbranded Chinese amazon/ebay/dodgy phone stall versions. TBH it is tricky with phones as they are easily bought by accident. But if you look at the difference for example between the two - I know nothing about electronics, but even I can see there is a difference between the £25 wall brick and the £2.50 one.

It doesn't have to be official Apple but if not Apple/Samsung etc then a good, well known/established brand such as Belkin.

Same for replacement batteries if you have removeable ones.

RaspberryRuffless · 09/12/2018 01:34

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. I also don’t leave my devices on charge overnight and I don’t have my son’s iPad charging overnight either. He uses it for music when he goes to sleep, so if the battery is low, I let him plug it in for a while but then I unplug it before I go to sleep. I know the risk of anything happening is probably very low, but it’s not not worth it.

Original poster
RamblingRita · 09/12/2018 01:38

Well if they burst into flames in daylight hours, we won't be upstairs in bed half asleep and we'd probably smell it before smoke alarms go off!

I thought the over charging was a fire risk as well because phones get hot, and it obviously damages the battery.

Even the supplied chargers can get warm IME.

I charge mine as soon as I get up or before I go to bed as DC could if they just left them to bloody charge. Gggrrrr!

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 09/12/2018 01:39

You're being ridiculously paranoid. Invest in quality smoke alarms and you'll be fine.

BertieBotts · 09/12/2018 01:39

I like watching the big clive videos on Youtube as I know nothing about electronics but he explains (very confusingly but in a soothing voice) all about dangerous/safe items and points out the bits which are dangerous/safe about them.

My understanding is that some official phone chargers do get hot when in use and this is normal, but they will cool down when the phone has finished charging. Many modern phones will have a smart charge feature which stops the phone over-charging, my Sony has this. Make sure your chargers are situated with plenty of space over them, not covered in clothes/furniture and you could insist phones are charged somewhere like on a kitchen counter where the plug socket is surrounded by tiles and the surface is fairly heatproof, if that would make you feel better?

AntiHop · 09/12/2018 01:40

Yanbu. I agree with you.

SparkleTheTinselKitten · 09/12/2018 01:40

Get a timer plug so it switches off after a set time e.g. one hour.

starzig · 09/12/2018 01:42

I charge overnight. Don't actually switch off when I unplug either

giftsonthebrain · 09/12/2018 01:43

I doubt this is a real concern if you have up to date wiring that’s been properly signed off by a qualified journeyman.
If you have anxiety about electrical fires have your home inspected and updated if necessary.
Sorry but it would be a cold day in hell before I unplugged; microwave, built in dishwasher, washer, dryer, all stereo components, the tv, then the computer, printer, paper shredder, elliptical, that’s probably only 3/4 of the items plugged in and that doesn’t include any iphones, iPads, or fit bits...

Onestep2 · 09/12/2018 01:45

YABU. I leave my phone charging overnight every night (as does DH) and never had any issues.

What about other appliances in your household? Tvs? Fridge? Freezer? Do you unplug them all at night?

Greensleeves · 09/12/2018 01:46

Christ I think our entire way of life would collapse if we stopped charging devices overnight. I don't think my teen boys would be able to sleep if they didn't think their phones would be nicely topped up in the morning Grin and dh has three phones (work).

Grannyannex · 09/12/2018 01:50

I think 4 or 5 people were killed in a house fire in Sheffield a couple of years ago. Linked to recharging.

Original poster
RamblingRita · 09/12/2018 01:56

Yup everything apart from fridge and boiler.

All kitchen counter plugs out. Switches on wall like dishwasher, cooker. Done after last cuppa at night.

TVs, sky box, games consoles, computer, printer and fairy lights obvs.

Takes less than a min.

Actually clock radio in my room on though.

Yes I may be paranoid but I learnt the hard way that bad things don't just happen to other people.

I try to think 'fuck it' but the risk is too big for such little inconvenience.

OP posts:
Shriek · 09/12/2018 01:58

Don't allow mine to have them upstairs at bedtime, they have to stay downstairs.

Good idea about using the timers for charging. B

But its not necessary when devices are left downstairs because they are charged by the time I go to bed.

I know I know, I am in the minority, but I think k it messes around with their sleep,and they need to STOP with the devices all the time says she still on MN at this time

Shriek · 09/12/2018 01:59

Wow! Feel like I am putting us at risk now not going round and switching literally everything off, and unplugging now!

BabySharkAteMyHamster · 09/12/2018 02:18

Rule here is overnight charging id done on the kitchen worktop with the kitchen door closed.

Yanbu at all op, my neighbour woke up to her bed on fire when her charging phone burst into flames.

Shes lucky her and her family arent dead, it hadnt had chance to even trigger her alarm on the landing. It was her dog that had the sense to bite her that woke her.Daytime wouldnt be ideal but they wouldnt be asleep in bed either.

Shriek · 09/12/2018 02:22

What a shocking story!

I will be unplugging mine at night now and mine is t charged by the time I go to bed and very much needs charging and I think it's one of those cheapy chargers that I'm using for mine at the mo

RCohle · 09/12/2018 02:29

You sound controlling and a little obsessive.