Before going to bed each night, safety experts highly recommend making one simple but crucial habit: unplugging a certain kitchen appliance that could unexpectedly cause a fire while you sleep. Surprisingly, this appliance is often the air fryer or sometimes the toaster oven.
These devices have gained massive popularity because they cook tasty, crispy meals quickly with very little oil or prep. However, what many people don’t realize is that even when turned off, as long as they remain plugged in, they still carry an electrical current. Over time, some models—particularly cheaper or older ones—can develop problems like worn wiring or faulty components.
Such hidden faults can cause overheating, sparks, or in the worst cases, fires, especially when no one is awake to react. Leaving an air fryer or toaster oven plugged in overnight, when the kitchen is empty and everyone is asleep, raises the chances of a dangerous electrical fire. This risk grows even more if the wall outlet is old, damaged, or not designed for today’s electric loads. Power surges during storms can also spike voltage and cause appliances to malfunction dangerously. While rare, these incidents are serious when they happen unattended.
Besides air fryers and toaster ovens, other common kitchen gadgets—such as coffee makers, electric kettles, and even older microwaves—may also pose fire risks if left plugged in nonstop. The rising number of fire incidents related to air fryers in recent years reflects their frequent use and sometimes questionable safety standards in some models.
Experts including the National Fire Protection Association advise unplugging any non-essential kitchen appliance not in use, especially before sleeping or leaving home. It only takes seconds and greatly reduces fire dangers. For convenience, users might consider surge protectors with switches or smart plugs that let them remotely cut power.
Ultimately, keeping the kitchen safe requires simple daily routines and awareness. So each night after cleaning up, double-check your air fryer and toaster oven are unplugged. This small step could stop a devastating fire before it starts. Safety may not always be convenient, but those few seconds of caution are a priceless way to protect your home and loved ones.
