5 Appliances You Should Always Unplug Before You Leave the House

1. Toasters and Air Fryers

Because dry bread crumbs and drops of oil collect on top of their heating mechanisms, toasters and air fryers are one of the biggest fire hazards in a kitchen. One of the best ways to minimize risk is to frequently clean the toaster (including the crumb collector!) and air fryer. Another smart idea is to get into the habit of unplugging the toaster as soon as you’re done using it, and add it to the items you double check before you leave the house.

A curling iron and a hair dryer on a marble surface, both devices have attached power cords

Brie Goldman

2. Hair Heat Tools

If you frequently use heated hair tools such as curling irons or straighteners, make a habit of doing a quick scan of the bathroom before you leave the house. Even if your device has an automatic shut-off, it’s a good idea to unplug it completely as soon as you’re done using it—and don’t leave the house until it’s cooled down. Because these tools are often used in the bathroom near water sources, they’re both a fire hazard and an electrocution risk.

Your Hair Dryer Is a Fire Hazard If You Don't Clean This One Part

A laptop, a smartphone, and chargers placed on a white marble surface

Brie Goldman

3. Charging Cords

Leaving cords plugged in unnecessarily (think: your phone charger plugged into the wall but not connected to your phone) can actually shorten the charger’s lifespan—leading to frequent and expensive replacements. Cords can also overheat when left plugged in for too long, though the more likely scenario is that they’ll die more quickly and need replacing more often.

A portable space heater placed on a countertop next to a wall outlet and a cookbook stand

Brie Goldman

4. Space Heaters

Because their primary function is to create heat, space heaters should always be turned off as soon as you’re done using them and unplugged as soon as possible. Even if they aren’t actively running, leaving a space heater plugged into the wall can pose a fire risk, so it’s best to play it safe. Any time you aren’t using the space heater, it should be powered off and unplugged—not just when you leave the house!

Electric kettle on a countertop with unplugged power cord

Brie Goldman

5. Electric Kettles

If you’re sensing a theme with this list, it’s because any appliance designed to create heat in a concentrated area (like curling irons and space heaters) can be a fire risk. Because electric kettles are made to bring water to a boil very quickly, there is a small risk of the appliance malfunctioning or overheating when you’re not home, leading to a kitchen fire.