10 Things You Should Never Do When Charging Your Devices, Experts Warn

Never Use Damaged or Frayed Charging Cables

At the first sign of breakage or fraying, your charging wire should be discarded and replaced. According to Nick Barber, co-founder at Prepaid Electricity, "Frayed cables may cause electrical arcs, which increase the risk of electrical shock, overheating, or an electrical fire." If the insulation appears compromised, the cord should be replaced.

Don't Frequently Leave Devices Plugged in Overnight

While doing this once in a while is typically fine, Barber urges against leaving devices plugged in night after night. “Modern devices turn off the charge when the battery is full, but plugging them in every night puts the battery through constant heat and energy,” he explains. “This can cause gradual degradation of battery performance and life.”

Avoid Overloading Outlets

For convenience's sake, it can be tempting to use one charging station for all of your electronics, but experts strongly warn against it. “Overloading outlets can cause wires to overheat, leading to fire hazards,” warns electrician Daniel Mock, vice president of operations at Mister Sparky. 

Mock recommends using multiple outlets or (occasionally) extension cords if you need to charge several devices at once. Just be sure that the outlets are designed for the electrical load of your device and that you're using extension cords appropriately.

Don't Rely on Extension Cords

While on the topic, extension cords can be a sometimes-solution, but avoid relying on an extension cord for charging your devices all the time. “Extension cords are designed to be temporary,” explains Barber. “Using them on a daily basis, particularly for high-draw devices such as laptops, raises the risk of overheating and fire.” Try to locate a secure wall outlet or power strip for your device instead.

Never Use Off-Brand Cables

“Steer clear of third-party and low-quality knockoff chargers,” advises Barber. These cheaper alternatives may lack important safety features like surge protection and voltage regulation. This could lead to unstable voltage, overheating, or even electrical fires. “The best and most trustworthy approach is to charge using the manufacturer-recommended charger,” he says.

Don't Ignore Signs of Overheating

Anything hot to the touch should be unplugged at once. “This is the symptom of either a wiring fault or incompatibility between the device and the charger,” explains Barber.

Sergey Nikolin, president at Product Air Heating & Cooling, adds that keeping it plugged in is not likely to start a fire, but it could easily damage your device. It's best to play it safe.

Don't Leave Charging Devices on Beds or Upholstery

If you charge your phone while in bed, laying the device or the charger within your sheets or blankets is a negative. "Fabrics trap heat and lead to phone battery overheating," cautions Nikolin, "which can easily damage the battery, start a fire, or cause serious injury."

This also applies to leaving charging devices on upholstered armchairs, sofas, etc. "Charging generates heat, and soft surfaces do not provide good airflow," explains Barber. "The heat tends to build up very quickly and may damage the battery, reduce the efficiency, or lead to a fire at the extreme end." He recommends placing the device on a flat, stable surface when charging.

Avoid Excessive Device Usage While Charging

If you intend to use your device intensely for a long period of time, try to fully charge your battery beforehand. “Heavy use (like gaming) while charging generates more heat and wears the battery down faster,” explains Joel Worthington, president of Mr. Electric.

Don't Leave Charging Devices in the Sun or Car

While your car likely has the capability to charge your phone, you don't want to leave it in the vehicle to charge. "The sun’s heat builds very fast in an air-tight space, and charging also produces heat," explains Barber. When these two factors are combined, it can put stress on the battery, leading to malfunction or fire.

Do Not Charge Your Devices Near Water

As tempting as it is to plug our phones into bathroom outlets for a morning charge while getting ready for the day, any chance of contact with water is to be avoided. “Don’t charge near water,” advises Worthington. “Water and electricity don’t mix. An accidental splash can cause shock or damage.” 

Because electricity conducts through water, exposure could cause serious harm. Charging should take place only on dry and moisture-free surfaces.