That headline is a bit dramatic. Leaving a charger plugged in without a phone attached is usually not dangerous in normal conditions, but there are a few real reasons people bring it up.
Here are the 3 main concerns people typically mean:
1) Tiny energy waste (standby power)
A plugged-in charger still draws a small amount of electricity even when nothing is connected. It’s called “vampire” or standby power.
It’s usually very small per charger, but if you leave many devices plugged in 24/7, it adds up over time.
2) Heat + wear over time
Most modern chargers are designed to idle safely, but they can still get slightly warm when plugged in.
Cheap, damaged, or uncertified chargers are the real problem here—they can degrade faster and become less reliable.
3) Electrical safety risk (rare, but possible)
A good-quality charger from a reputable brand is very safe. The risk comes from:
- low-quality or counterfeit chargers
- old damaged outlets
- power surges or unstable wiring
In those cases, leaving something plugged in for long periods slightly increases the chance of overheating or failure.
Bottom line:
For a decent, certified charger, leaving it in the socket without a phone is generally fine. The “never do this” advice mostly applies to cheap or questionable chargers, not normal ones.
If you want, I can tell you when it actually is worth unplugging chargers every time.