Seven common household appliances to unplug inside your home before going on holiday – and what to keep switched on

SCHOOLS are out for the summer, meaning many Brits will be preparing to jet off on their sunny holidays. However, before locking your doors and heading off to the airport, it is important to spend a few minutes unplugging electrical devices. As Brits get ready to jet off on holiday, many will be leaving behind a number of energy draining devices Credit: Getty Unplugging electrical devices is a useful way of saving money, and preventing fire risks, when going on holiday Credit: Getty Kitchen counter appliances, large white goods, and office equipment are often known as ‘vampire devices’, draining energy even when they are unused. Not only do electronics cost money, but they can also pose a fire risk, so it is not worth taking any chances when heading off on holiday. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Kitchen countertop appliances Air fryers, microwaves, coffee machines and more all fill our kitchen countertops. But these appliances can often cause fires, even when they aren’t in use. Of approximately 32,500 house fires in the UK last year, 44 per cent were caused by electrical cooking appliances, with toasters being the most problematic. Before heading away, it is worth unplugging all these unnecessary electrical appliances, meaning you are both saving money, and preventing any fires. Large white goods Unplugging white goods, such as dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers, is a job that is easy to forget. However, these items are considered some of the most energy draining, using high amounts of electricity so they can be ready to work at any moment. Most read in Money Tumble dryers are also known fire risks in homes, due to the extreme heat they produce, and the highly flammable lint inside. Even if accessing plugs and cables for larger appliances is inconvenient, ensuring they are fully disconnected is essential Hair styling devices It can be easy to forget to turn off hair dryers, straighteners and curling irons before leaving the house. Reaching temperatures up to 200C, these devices are easily overlooked when leaving the house in a hurry. It is essential to unplug hair styling tools before leaving the house for any reason, let alone when setting off on holiday. If you want to put them in your suitcase, make sure they cool for at least 30 minutes before packing or storing them away. Electric blankets Following periods of hot weather across the UK, an electric blanket is probably packed away for most. However, these cost-effective warming devices can present a fire risk, causing 5,000 fires annually across the country. If an electric blanket is currently hidden under your bed sheets, it is essential to make sure it is unplugged, even if it is not in use. This rule is even more important if the blanket gets older, with wear and tear increasing the risk of the device sparking. Home entertainment devices According to British Gas, televisions are one of the worst vampire devices, costing over £24 annually while on standby, with set top boxes also at £23. By factoring in unused stereos, smart speakers, media players, and radios, the bill for unused electrical devices grows quickly. Instead of leaving them on standby, unplugging all these devices before jetting off on holiday is a simple way to save money in the long term. Office equipment Home offices are where we keep our most valued electronics, such as computers, printers, scanners and more. Many of us use these electronics on a daily basis, however, when they are not shut down, they can drain electricity very quickly. Unplugging or shutting down devices not only stops the energy drain, but can also reduce fire risks. As well as unplugging any chargers and cables for devices, it is also important that they are not left on combustible surfaces, such as beds or chairs, where they can cause fires far more easily. E-bikes and e-scooters E-bikes and e-scooters are quickly becoming renowned hazards, causing over 400 fires in the UK last year. This is down to the Litium-ion batteries contained inside the vehicles, which can present serious fire risks when they malfunction. E-bikes or e-scooters should never be charged unattended, especially when leaving the house for long periods of time. If battieries become incredibly hot, start bulging, or produce unusual smells, it is also necessary to unplug them from a power source immediately. What devices should be left on? It is smart to leave a Wi-Fi router plugged in, as they use small amounts of energy and switching it off can complicate the set-up of connected devices. Keeping video doorbells on to track any visitors coming to your house is equally necessary, as well as making sure the system is fully charged up. Any items on a timer, such as lamps, should also stay plugged in. Full list of devices to unplug before going on holiday These electrical appliances can often drain energy, or cause fire risks: Microwaves Toasters Kettles Air fryers Coffee machines Dishwashers Washing machines Tumble dryers E-bikes E-scooters Electric blankets Hair straigteners Hair curlers Hair dryers TVs Set top boxes Stereos Smart speakers Smart home devices Digital radios Media players Games consoles Printers Computers Laptops Monitors Scanners Shredders Laminators Comment now