Is it safe to leave your phone plugged in to charge all night? This common bedtime ritual is under scrutiny, with consumer experts offering reassurance but fire safety authorities urging continued caution.
Smartphones Are Smarter Than You Think
Addressing widespread concern on social media, specialists from the consumer champion Which? have clarified how modern devices manage overnight charging. Adam Speight, a Senior Research and Writer at Which?, explained that while older phones could damage their batteries by remaining at 100% in a "high-stress state" for hours, contemporary technology is more intelligent.
"Phones are way smarter than that now," Speight stated. "They'll stay at 80% a lot of the night and sort of top it up right before you get up." This built-in battery management effectively mitigates the historical risk of overcharging, offering significant reassurance to users.
The Persistent Fire Safety Warning
Despite advancements in phone technology, fire safety experts maintain that the practice is not without risk. The London Fire Brigade highlights that while lithium-ion batteries are used safely by millions daily, they can present a fire hazard if misused.
"Batteries can present a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water or if they are damaged," a spokesperson clarified. This warning was echoed in a report by the International Fire and Safety Journal, which featured an alert from UK fire safety solutions company Firechief Global.
Laurie Pollard, Managing Director at Firechief Global, pinpointed a key danger: "Phones generate heat during charging, and covering them with pillows or blankets can trap that heat, increasing the risk of overheating and potentially causing a fire."
How to Charge Your Device Safely
In light of these warnings, experts recommend adopting simple safety habits to minimise any danger. Pollard advises charging devices on hard, flat surfaces away from flammable materials like bedding or curtains.
The discussion, which spread across Instagram and Facebook, revealed many users avoid overnight charging due to fire fears. The International Fire and Safety Journal's LinkedIn post summarised the dual concern, noting: "The truth is that this habit could have health implications from a fire safety and sleep quality perspective."
The consensus from the advice issued on 6 December 2025 is clear: while your phone's software is designed to protect its battery overnight, the physical environment in which it charges remains crucial. Ensuring good ventilation and avoiding heat traps are essential steps for safe charging.
