To wonder if it’s ok to leave the fan on all night

[moreparmesan]

Sweltering in our new build, the bedroom is an oven. Last summer we had the fan plugged in and on all night and I thought nothing more about it but since then I saw a post shared by the local fire service on social media saying it’s dangerous to plug in appliances overnight as is a fire risk

YABU - people have being doing this for years / mine is on as we speak / it’s fine

YANBU - knock it off and deal with the heat in some other way

I think it’s fine. Only advice I would give about having a fan on at night while you sleep is make sure it oscillates and isn’t pointing directly on your face. I did this on holiday once, got the most horrific ear infection from having cold air blasted at it and couldn’t fly home!

I run the air conditioner and or fan over night. I wouldn't think twice. But I'm not keen on the washing machine being left on when I'm out the house, and I definitely wouldn't leave a tumble drier on. Where I've lived in the past we've had issues with plugs over heating and burning themselves out. The main culprit being the kettle and tumble drier. The plug would literally melt and smoke, it was a regular occurrence and the plug lead would end up being really short due to the amount of plug changes! 😂

If you were regularly changing a plug, then that’s not the issue. complete wire change would be needed

I've always had fan on over night in summer, wouldn't have electric heater on all night in winter though.

We have the fan on overnight for about six months of the year!

I am aware but it was in South East Asia (rented), all the wall sockets were british, all the appliances came with 2 pins, I had to change all the plugs and they burnt out everytime. If I used an adaptor it would burn out even faster. Nothing could be done about it. The landlord did 'attempt' to solve the issue but it didn't fix it. Aside from moving out it was just easier to have a stash of 3 pin plugs in the house.

I’m super cautious about fire, never run appliances over night (barring fridge/freezer). Everything unplugged or at least switched off at the socket. I’m aware I’m over cautious but it’s just habit now. But even I will run my portable air con while I’m sleeping! I can set it to turn off during the night but have on occasion had it on all night.

If your electrics are up to scratch, any malfunctioning electrical should blow the fuse/trip the switch, thus preventing any fire. Our electrical systems are quite good in that regard. Fires do happen of course but if you think about how many people use so many appliances nowadays, it’s quite a rare occurrence overall.

I prefer windows open. Don't have fan, just have every bedroom window open all night. I can't sleep in rooms without an open window now.

I‘ve put my dishwasher and washing machine on when I’m going to bed for years. I’ve stopped now as I’ve seen two warnings from the fire brigade highlighting the risk of fire from both appliances and advising against it.
Its annoying though as it’s so convenient to run them at night.

My dad was a fireman. He used to unplug everything every night before going to bed (except the fridge and freezer) - tv, microwave, all lights etc. We weren't allowed electric blankets as he said he attended too many fatal incidents involving them. He wouldn't let us use extension leads or double plug adaptors either.

This was 50+ years ago though - I do think some electric devices are probably safer now

I'm I've got a ceiling fan and a desk top fan; I don't think either have had a night off in 3 years

I know three firemen. None of them will allow their dishwashers to be run overnight. I also know two people who have had house fires and both of those were caused by their dishwashers. We run the dishwasher when we are home in the evening before we go to bed.

I would be ok with a fan overnight as you are in the same room as it so would very quickly be aware if there was a problem. Just ensure that it is clean and dust free and not obstructed by anything.

We often have a fan on overnight. We’ve bought a load of air conditioning units so will be using them on hot nights too.

If you have just bought the house and plan on staying for a few years, I'd seriously consider installing a ceiling fan.

But yes I'd leave a normal fan on all night, but I prefer the way the ceiling fan works as it moves more air iyswim. And you don't have to think of where to put, plug it in etc.

And it's a great way to deter mozzies.

I have one on all night and have done for years and so does my child. We have working fire alarms so would know quickly if there was a fire.

Is this not (among other things) what economy 7 is for?

We have around 6 fans running every night, all night in our house and have done for years.

I just bought a found the other day because I’m in Greece, I just bought a found the other day because I’m in Greece, I have had it on all night these past couple of nights, because it also helps to keep with the mosquitoes