
That $10 phone charger sitting next to your bed might seem like a harmless bargain, but it could be one of the most dangerous items in your home. Cheap, knockoff charging cables and power blocks are increasingly being linked to overheating, electrical failures, and even house fires. What’s worse, many of these products look identical to trusted brands, making it nearly impossible for the average shopper to spot the difference. Fire officials and consumer safety experts are now warning that counterfeit and low-quality chargers are behind a growing number of incidents. Here’s what you need to know.