The bags are packed and the car is loaded. Before you lock the door for a holiday trip, take five minutes and walk through the house. A few plugs pulled now give you peace of mind while you’re gone.
Why unplug at all?
Two reasons:
- Safety. Fire officials remind people that appliances with heating parts, and anything with a battery charger, should not be left plugged in while nobody is home to notice a problem.
- Money. Many devices pull a little power all day, even when they are “off.” The U.S. Department of Energy calls this standby power. Over a week away, it adds up for nothing.
The holiday unplug list
- Space heaters. Never leave one plugged in in an empty house.
- Coffee makers, toasters and toaster ovens. They have heating parts and sit on the counter all day.
- Curling irons, flat irons and hair dryers. Easy to forget in the rush to leave.
- Battery chargers. E-bike, scooter, power-bank and tool chargers should not be left charging while you’re away.
- Christmas lights and the tree. Indoor and outdoor lights go off and get unplugged, unless they are on a timer made for that use.
- TVs, game consoles and computers. Unplugging them, or switching off the power strip, stops standby power and protects them from power surges.
- The microwave and small kitchen gadgets like the air fryer, slow cooker and electric kettle.
What to leave plugged in
- The refrigerator and freezer. Your food depends on them.
- Your heat, set low (many people use around 55°F) so pipes don’t freeze.
- Security systems, cameras and any medical equipment a family member needs.
- Lamps on a timer, so the house looks lived in.
A quick before-you-go check
- Water heater set to “vacation” if it has that setting.
- Washer and dryer off, and the dryer lint screen clean.
- Smoke alarms tested.
- Mail and packages held or picked up by a neighbor.
Sources
- U.S. Fire Administration, Electrical fire safety: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires/electrical/
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: standby power and unplugging: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/reducing-electricity-use-and-costs
- National Fire Protection Association, Winter holiday safety: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/winter-holidays
