Keep Your Home and Budget Safe: Five Appliances to Unplug When You’re Finished

telling him life was not over just because one chapter had gone bad.
When I finally got home, I did not even stop at the house first.
Something about being away from land that long makes you want to put eyes on it.
I drove the dirt path toward the back acreage with the windows down and the late summer air thick around me. When I reached the ridge overlooking the southern pasture, I hit the brakes.
There it was.
A lake.
On my side of the stone fence.
Not near the line. Not close enough for confusion. A good forty yards past it, squarely on my property. I could see where they had redirected my spring, the one that had fed our creek since before I was born. Water was pooling over what had been hardwood, pasture, and soil my family had protected for generations.
I walked down the slope slowly, as if getting closer might make it disappear.
It did not.
The banks had been cut clean by machinery. The clay was still wet and raw. The ground was torn open with tracks from excavators and dump trucks. They had not just trespassed. They had built something permanent enough to dare me to object.
I called Brent right there.
He answered cheerful as ever.
“Daniel, what’s going on?”
I stared at the water and tried to keep my voice steady.
“Is there a lake on my property?”
There was a pause.
Not confusion.
Not shock.
Just a pause.
“Oh,” he said. “You saw that?”
“Yes, Brent. I saw it. It is forty yards north of the stone fence. That is my land.”
He sighed like I had brought him a minor inconvenience.
“Our contractor verified the boundary before breaking ground. We hired a professional survey crew. They assured us we were well within our parcel.”
“You’re not,” I said. “That fence marks the line. It always has.”
“Well,” he replied, his tone tightening, “fences are not always accurate. We invested close to thirty-five thousand dollars into that excavation. We did our due diligence.”
I looked across the water filling a hole I had never approved.
“Your due diligence just dug a lake on my side.”
That was the moment I knew this was not going to be a neighborly misunderstanding.
It was going to be a fight.
I hired Harold Bennett, the surveyor who had worked on my timber assessment years earlier. Harold was older, quiet, and meticulous, the kind of man who measured twice and then checked the old records just because it bothered him not to. He walked the stone fence, compared county plats, pulled old deeds, and finally looked at me with the annoyed expression of a man staring at someone else’s laziness.
“Daniel,” he said, tapping the paperwork, “this boundary has been documented since 1871. That fence aligns with the original markers. There is no gray area. That lake is entirely on your property.”
We sent a certified notice giving Brent and Laurel eighteen days to restore the land.
I thought facts would be enough.
They were not.
A week later, I received a letter from a Nashville law firm claiming their clients had relied on a licensed survey and would fight any challenge in court.
That letter told me everything.
They were not confused.
They were betting I would fold.

Many households look for simple ways to lower utility costs and keep their homes as safe as possible, especially as energy prices rise and appliances become more complex. One of the easiest habits you can build is unplugging certain devices once you’re done using them. It may sound small, but for many appliances, it truly makes a difference.

Even when turned off, a surprising number of electronics continue drawing electricity. This quiet drain on power—often called standby or “phantom” energy—can add up. For many U.S. households, it can mean an extra $100 to $200 on the yearly electric bill. Beyond cost, some appliances can pose a safety concern if left plugged in for long periods, especially those that heat up or operate with older wiring.

To help reduce unnecessary energy use and protect your home, experts recommend unplugging the following items once you’re done with them.

1. Space Heaters

Space heaters are convenient during colder months, but they require careful attention. Safety organizations note that they are among the most common sources of winter home fires, often because they are left too close to bedding, curtains, or furniture.

Modern heaters may include automatic shutoff features, but no safeguard is perfect. The safest approach is to turn them off and unplug them every time you leave the room and never run them while sleeping.

2. Clothes Dryers

Most people don’t realize that the electrical setup for a clothes dryer can still use a noticeable amount of power even when the appliance isn’t running. This can lead to unnecessary energy costs over the year.

If accessing the dryer’s outlet is inconvenient, consider using a smart power strip. With one switch, it can cut the power completely and prevent wasted energy.

3. Hair Styling Tools

Flat irons, curling wands, and similar tools heat to very high temperatures—hot enough to damage surfaces or nearby items if left unattended. While some models include automatic shutoff features, they cannot always be relied on.

The safest routine is simple: unplug the tool immediately after use and store it in a heat-safe pouch, allowing it to cool away from fabrics, paper, or countertop clutter.

4. Toasters and Toaster Ovens

These small kitchen appliances seem harmless, but they can still pose safety risks. A buildup of crumbs can smolder, and in some cases, the lever or heating mechanism can malfunction even when the appliance appears off.

Cleaning the crumb tray regularly and unplugging the toaster or toaster oven after each use helps reduce both fire risk and electrical draw.

Other Everyday Appliances to Keep in Mind

While they may not require unplugging every time, a few everyday devices are worth managing thoughtfully:

• Phone chargers: They use little power but should be unplugged during storms or when not actively charging.
• Televisions and game systems: Many continue drawing energy while in standby mode. A power strip with an on–off switch can help.
• Coffee makers: If your model doesn’t have an automatic shutoff, unplugging it is a smart precaution.
• Microwaves: Generally safe to keep plugged in; their standby energy use is very small.

Tips to Build Safer Habits

Creating a routine around unplugging appliances doesn’t need to be difficult. A few small adjustments can make it second nature:

• Use smart power strips for home offices, entertainment centers, and areas with multiple electronics.
• Label power cords as reminders, especially for seasonal items.
• Make it a habit to unplug heat-producing tools immediately after storing them or before leaving a room.

Unplugging the right appliances is more than a safety measure—it’s a simple way to protect your home, reduce energy bills, and enjoy peace of mind. You don’t need to disconnect every device you own, but being mindful of the ones that use the most energy or produce heat can make a meaningful difference.

Your home supports you every day. These small steps help you support it just as thoughtfully.