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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:

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Lemons1571 · 09/12/2018 10:57

The level of disruption to their lives and loss of unreplaceable items made unplugging for me a no brainer

This. With bells on. A bag-for-life has been my wardrobe for months. And all the people who sit in their houses for Xmas and tell you “it could’ve been much worse”

It’s honestly something you have to experience to understand the feelings and emotions involved.

GivingBloodFeelingGreat · 09/12/2018 11:00

You are being unreasonable.

I do this all the time and no issues.

AmyDowdensLeftLeftShoe · 09/12/2018 11:02

Watchdog last series did an episode about cheap chargers that you can buy from pound shops and other high street retailers as well as online. However this wasn't a revelation to people in my social circle who work with and are into gadgets.

Unfortunately it is a case of using your common sense. Only buy chargers from brands you recognise and inspect them to see if they appear dodgy before use.

Also I know a few people over the years who have had tumble drier fires and have dodgy fridges. So knowing the sometimes extensive damage from those the no charger rule is stupid.

As PPs said have a fire escape plan that your entire household knows, have an adequate number of smoke and heat detectors for your household and don't leave all your internal doors open when you go to bed.

GivingBloodFeelingGreat · 09/12/2018 11:04

And I really don't understand why there seems to be a bigger risk at night when you're fast asleep than during the daytime when everybody puts their device on charge and then go about their day

Lemons1571 · 09/12/2018 11:08

You’re slower to react = fire has longer to take hold = damage is greater.

MrsGollach · 09/12/2018 11:10

I'm amazed at the level of ignorance on this thread. Some people are completely unaware of fire/smoke risks. Very sad.

UpstartCrow · 09/12/2018 11:15

Risk assessment = the likelihood of the thing happening vs the potential consequenses.

So the risk of a fire while you sleep may be small, but the potential consequenses are severe.

CaptainHammer · 09/12/2018 11:16

Yanbu. We have regular fire training at work and not charging things over night is always a big thing. Some of the stories and photos I’ve seen from that I won’t forget. It may be a low risk but it’s not difficult to charge stuff in the evening rather than overnight.

cancla · 09/12/2018 11:16

And I really don't understand why there seems to be a bigger risk at night when you're fast asleep than during the daytime when everybody puts their device on charge and then go about their day

Really?

I feel embarrassed for you. It's not difficult to realise the difference.

cancla · 09/12/2018 11:20

Interesting that people have mentioned fridges. Our fridge is literally the only thing plugged in overnight. A few months ago there was a big thing about plastic backed fridges being more dangerous in the event of a fire taking hold. I replaced the fridge as soon as I could. It cost me £500. Cheap in comparison with the what ifs.

I am finding the amount of people and the level of unawares to be staggering on here.

GivingBloodFeelingGreat · 09/12/2018 11:21

@cancla

Yes. Really.

I am aware of fire risks. But I've charged my phone overnight and never had any problems....Yet.

I'm just going by experience. If that's not "acceptable" with you or anyone else then too bad

cancla · 09/12/2018 11:26

I am aware of fire risks. But I've charged my phone overnight and never had any problems....Yet.

The 'yet' can be catastrophic. Interesting that you are aware of risk, see it as a possibility but don't think to simply unplug at night.

I'm just going by experience. If that's not "acceptable" with you or anyone else then too bad

'Acceptable' with me? You don't have to get my approval! It's YOUR risk. YOUR life. YOUR family. Not mine.

Your experience is that you have had no fire. I had the experience of never having been hit by a car once. And 25 years down the line, it happens. Experience doesn't outweigh risk.

Ilovetea33 · 09/12/2018 11:34

So if your series is on after you've gone to bed and unplugged everything, then it won't get recorded? My family wouldn't be too happy with that.

RaspberryRuffless · 09/12/2018 11:38

I really don’t understand the arguments of “been doing it for years and it’s fine”. That doesn’t mean it’s always going to be fine! Things can develop faults. My son would hang upside down on the banister of the stairs and I’d always tell him to stop (he has asd and being upside down was a sensory thing) and he’d always reply “I do it all the time” but one time he did fall and hurt himself.

The “use my phone as an alarm” argument is even worse. I use my phone as an alarm sometimes but can manage with the risk of having it charge overnight. Just charge in the evening. I also charge my phone when I’m in the car if I need to.

cancla · 09/12/2018 11:43

So if your series is on after you've gone to bed and unplugged everything, then it won't get recorded? My family wouldn't be too happy with that.

We haven't anything that records after we are all in bed. Interesting point to the discussion though. You are suggesting a TV show recording outweighs the risk to life?
Love how you say the family wouldn't be happy. We have pretty basic house rules; the turning off of plugs is high up on the list. The family are fully aware this is done to bring the risk of electrical fires to a minimum.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 09/12/2018 11:43

No overnight charging here - we charge ours while at home in the evening and have chargers in car/office. I turn DC chargers off when I go to bed.

Turn most other things off at the wall except alexa devices which are used as an alarm. I've just bought some smart plugs so I can charge Apple watches overnight but not all night as they don't need to be charging that long.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 09/12/2018 11:46

Oh, and I never put dishwasher/washing machine or tumble dryer on overnight. Once had an electrical fault on one just before we went to bed - don't like to think of the consequences if it had been later!

soulrider · 09/12/2018 11:57

Is a fire more likely to take hold from a phone that is charging one foot from you on a bedside table whilst you are sleeping at night

No. It's not. But surely you are aware that if your charger is in front of you and starts to blacken and smoke you could take immediate action.

Yes, of course I'm aware that if you're sitting and watching your phone versus being asleep you're going to notice it faster when awake! That's why my comparison was between being asleep next to your phone versus going about your day whilst your phone was in charge where your phone could be in a completely different part of the house.

soulrider · 09/12/2018 12:01

Not having a tumble drier at all probably lowers my overall risk for a household fire considerably given the stats on appliances most likely to cause a fire

To not allow phone chargers to be on overnight?

ReflectentMonatomism · 09/12/2018 12:01

the “my god the risk from a 500mA USB charger” brigade are going to have fun charging their electric car in a decade’s time.

cancla · 09/12/2018 12:02

That's why my comparison was between being asleep next to your phone versus going about your day whilst your phone was in charge where your phone could be in a completely different part of the house.

Your awareness is still greater when you are awake. Unless you live in a mansion.

drquin · 09/12/2018 12:20

the “my god the risk from a 500mA USB charger” brigade are going to have fun charging their electric car in a decade’s time.

What, next to their bed 😜

Still doesn't change the fact that if OP in HER house is concerned about the risk of electrical fire, she can reduce the chance of electrical fire by not having so many electrical items switched on.
If you have 20 electrical items switched on, that's 20 things which could malfunction. Switch off 15 things overnight when you're all less alert / aware, then there's fewer items which could malfunction. That part is simple maths.

No guarantees obviously, you may still be the unfortunate sod whose previously trustworthy fridge hasn't played nicely .... in which case severity is the half of risk you need to worry about.

If you're not concerned about that risk, or are but have other risk reduction measures, that's great.

RamblingRita · 09/12/2018 12:20

I wouldn't be charging an electric car inside my house though Reflectant .

OP posts:

Meangirls36 · 09/12/2018 12:30

If I die I die! I need my phone!

Meangirls36 · 09/12/2018 12:50

Jesus h Christ this is silly like the blind leading the even blinder

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