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AIBU?

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 bed.

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:

Report

ltk · 09/12/2018 08:39

There's an incredible amount of defensiveness and willful ignorance on this thread. Surely if the fire services are telling you straight out to unplug your chargers and other electrics, you just do it? Not argue the point. It's not actually that small a risk, and the potential consequences are catastrophic. I think a public awareness campaign is in order.

So, uh, no OP. YANBU.

Russiawithlove · 09/12/2018 08:46

Have to say I don't charge my tablet or phone overnight. The charger does get very hot.
But turning all plug sockets off is a tad ridiculous

ElizabethG81 · 09/12/2018 08:47

To whoever said they charge their phone on a bedside table rather than carpet or under the pillow, mine was on a bedside table and it blew off onto a rug, setting fire to it immediately. If it had gone at a slightly different angle it would have blown onto the bed covers. It's not worth it, just charge your appliances while you're awake and able to respond quickly.

Lovemusic33 · 09/12/2018 08:49

I charge phones at night.
Leave chargers plugged in all the time.
Leave the tumble drier on whilst out.
Sometimes leave the tv on for the dog.

I like to live on the edge 🤣

Fancyaruck · 09/12/2018 08:50

Why not get portable chargers for your kids to use if you're fed up with the nightly rows? I'm sure there's still a risk, but it's likely lesser, and the chargers can power up in the day.

TwoGinScentedTears · 09/12/2018 08:52

I'm the daughter of a fire fighter so it's always been drilled into me about calculating escape routes and locked doors and windows having keys near by in the same place every time to make escape easier.

We do unplug most stuff at night and charging phones and devices overnight is only done if the chargers are genuine Apple/Amazon and on a metal surface. Nothing is ever charged on a bed or soft furnishing-ever.

Slightly separate but we do turn all chargers off after charging because they cost 3p an hour. Imagine 6 chargers on at the plug for the 10 hours we're out in a day!

Caprisunorange · 09/12/2018 08:53

They don’t cost anything like that if not Charging- www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/money/experts/article-3315688/amp/My-son-leaves-phone-charger-plugged-s-costing-me.html

ReflectentMonatomism · 09/12/2018 08:56

Slightly separate but we do turn all chargers off after charging because they cost 3p an hour.

Don’t be silly. They do not consume 250w. Are you seriously saying a phone charge consumes the power of four 60W incandescent light bulbs? Where do all that heat go? The degree of scientific foolishness on these sorts of threads is startling.

Cornettoninja · 09/12/2018 09:00

I understand the need to turn everything off - this risks are small but the consequences are high. My particular focus is kettles after a friends set fire to their kitchen (the switch off mechanism failed boiling the kettle dry and bursting into flames).

The chances are everything would be fine but I wouldn’t judge anyone for deciding it’s not a risk they’re happy with.

Could you get some of those portable chargers if the kids are stubborn about it? I’ve no idea on their safety record but I would think they’d be safer and can be charged whilst their awake without having to put down their phones.

budgiegirl · 09/12/2018 09:04

OP, YANBU.

A good friend of mine is a senior firefighter, and he is adamant that all chargers should be unplugged at night. He says he’s been to quite a few fires caused by chargers. Certainly he believes they are a greater risk than most electrical appliances.

We were also advised the same by a firefighter when visiting a fire station with my cub pack.

So we don’t use our chargers at night anymore. It’s generally no problem finding a couple of hours in the evening to charge them.

Shoxfordian · 09/12/2018 09:09

I charge my phone overnight and it's fine. I don't turn anything off overnight. I do think you sound a bit over the top op

LizzieSiddal · 09/12/2018 09:12

If people can’t find an hour to recharge their phones during the day, they must have a serious addiction to their phone.

Miscible · 09/12/2018 09:12

We never leave things to charge overnight - why would we argue with Fire Service advice?

However, OP your issue is in part that your teenagers are never off their phones long enough during the day to leave them to charge. That is a ridiculous level of dependence. Surely you could make it a rule that they don't have their phones on first thing in the morning, or when you are eating or when they are doing homework?

NigelGresley · 09/12/2018 09:14

The thread has moved on quite a bit Shoxfordian. You might find it interesting to read.

Caprisunorange · 09/12/2018 09:14

I don’t think it’s a serius addiction Lizzie I think that’s quite normal?

MizzMimi · 09/12/2018 09:16

YANBU OP. I'm the same as you - switch most things off when they're not in use, won't charge things overnight, don't run dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer when I'm not home. I've got a fire escape ladder and a dog carrier in my bedroom so we can easily get the dog out, and we have fire extinguishers. Every six months we have a recurrent calendar reminder to run through what we'd do in a fire.

I couldn't care less if people think that's over the top. It brings me peace of mind to have reduced our risk of a house fire. After my PILs TV set on fire when it was on standby, a colleague's dishwasher set on fire when the family dog was shut away in the kitchen because that's where it slept (and died), hearing the advice of a fireman on the radio talking about washing machines and other white goods in the home setting on fire, and also the annual fire safety course at work, I'd do everything in my power to reduce the risk. I can't imagine how awful and terrifying it would be to be caught up in a house fire - the place that's your sanctuary and where you're meant to be safe.

LizzieSiddal · 09/12/2018 09:17

It’s normal to be using your phone all day and evening?

No, it really isn’t.

pyramidbutterflyfish · 09/12/2018 09:17

“There's an incredible amount of defensiveness and willful ignorance on this thread. Surely if the fire services are telling you straight out to unplug your chargers and other electrics, you just do it?”

But they DONT tell us that in any meaningful way. I just read the official guidance and it’s raised pages into it, as a suggestion.

Yes, I wouldn’t be happy if somone has a bunch of dodgy chargers humming away on a multi-socket downstairs, but an official charger next to a bed? Negligible risk.

OP, I’m not surprised your adult DC are sick of you.

Caprisunorange · 09/12/2018 09:18

Sure it is

TwoGinScentedTears · 09/12/2018 09:19

Oh, I only read the 3p an hour thing recently-I can't remember where now but I thought it was somewhere reputable! But thanks for calling me foolish-brightened up my Sunday morning no end. But don't tell the kids I'm wrong-they'll be leaving them on left right and centre!

LizzieSiddal · 09/12/2018 09:20

OP, I’m not surprised your adult DC are sick of you

Oh yes, giving your dc the same advice as a Fire Officer, is really annoying isn’t it?

IsobelKarev · 09/12/2018 09:26

The chances of dying in a house fire are very small - especially if you have working fire alarms. Having a charger under a pile of clothes or keeping your phone under a pillow while it charges would be very silly, but a regular phone charger isn't a significant risk. If you choose to not take that tiny risk that's up to you, but I don't blame your adult DC for being pissed off.

On the other hand - if you have a real Christmas tree make sure you keep it watered and switch lights off when unattended. After a couple of weeks in a heated modern home an unwatered Christmas tree effectively becomes kindling.

Rudgie47 · 09/12/2018 09:26

House fires are not extremely rare at all! Its around a few thousand like 40,000 for the U.K per year.

One of my friends lost everything due to a candle burning the house down, she was left with just her nightdress.

DistanceCall · 09/12/2018 09:28

Yep, YABU.

DistanceCall · 09/12/2018 09:29

One of my friends lost everything due to a candle burning the house down, she was left with just her nightdress.

There's a difference between a candle and a phone charger, FFS.

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