Most people are constantly attached to their cellphones throughout the day, making it feel convenient, safe, and entirely normal to plug them in to charge overnight while sleeping. However, firefighters across the country are issuing urgent warnings about this common habit, noting that it carries hidden hazards.

Highlighting the scope of this everyday risk, the Newton, New Hampshire Fire Department shared a startling statistic revealing that 53% of children and teenagers charge their phones or tablets either directly on their beds or under their pillows.

This widespread practice creates a dangerously risky situation that significantly increases the threat of fires, as devices generate heat while charging and soft bedding can trap that heat, leading to potential combustion.

Protecting your home and family requires making simple changes to your nightly routine, such as always charging your devices on a hard, flat, and well-ventilated surface rather than near sleeping areas or flammable materials.