Family throws away a dangerous frayed cable, sister throws a fit insisting they buy her a new charger: 'I think she can't be mad at me for throwing away a dangerous electronic device'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jan 8, 2026 10:00 PM EST

If it's a fire hazard, it has to go. Sorry, those are the rules. 

Everyone has something that they've held onto for way too long. It's that item that you just can't get rid of, no matter how ragged and worn it is. It's that sweatshirt with so many holes in it that still feels like a warm hug. It's that pair of shoes that are long past their prime that you're too lazy to replace. It's that lipstick that you've worn down to a nub, but you're afraid to get rid of it because what if they stop making that color? We're all guilty of it, and it's okay. Better that than to over-consume, right? We don't need new stuff just for the sake of having new stuff. We can hold onto things until the bitter end, and we will be rewarded for our efforts.

But there are a few things that we have to get rid of, if only for safety purposes. You wouldn't drink that milk that's long since expired, so why would you keep a charger that has started to become a danger to your friends and family? There are things that are worth getting sentimental about, like a photo album, a diary, or even a piece of clothing. But a phone charger? C'mon, y'all. There are no memories stored in that thing. That is an appliance that needs maintaining, just like a fridge or a car. Plus, they're pretty cheap. So there's no reason to hold on. 

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  • A toddler holds his finger dangerously close to a power strip with cables in it.
    via Unsplash+ (Curated Lifestyle)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • That is, unless you're the girl in this story. For whatever reason, she was attached to her broken-down phone charger and didn't want to replace it. So when her family did everyone a favor and got rid of it, she pitched a fit. She didn't care that it might have lit a fire that could have endangered the whole house, even the whole neighborhood. She wanted her charger, or she wanted her family to pay for a new one. But they weren't quite willing to do that. Keep scrolling to read the whole story and decide whose side you're on.

  • Am I in the wrong for throwing away a dangerous item that wasn't mine?

    Yesterday I found a badly damaged charging cable in our living room. It was plugged in where my parents usually keep their cables. It had several open spots. Like, with the wires sticking out and half-heartedly kept together with some tape I doubt can be used to repair cables.
    via u/s29292929
  • I showed it to my dad and he was very upset with himself how he apparently could have let something like this happen. We agreed it was dangerous and we threw it away immediately.
    via u/s29292929
  • Today, my sister who lives with us over christmas searched for her charging cable. I realised the damaged one had been hers. She immediately threw a huge drama that she desperately needed it for Uni and how we couldn't even have asked who the cable belonged to. (She was out yesterday). I must admit I just forgot about it, as I thought it was one of the many of my parents.
    via u/s29292929
  • I gave her my best charging cable but she says it is too short. She demanded I order a new one and I did and I also paid for it. She's still angry because she won't have the new long one until the weekend. I think she can't be mad at me for throwing away a dangerous. electronic device. My dad says that cable had to go immediately
    via u/s29292929
  • and that my sister would have continued using it if we didn't. My mother says it was wrong to throw away something that doesn't belong to me without telling anybody about it.
    via u/s29292929

  • Commenters gave their opinions on the situation.

    Sweeper1985 NTA That cable was a fire and shock hazard. Obviously she's mad because she intended to keep using it. I mean why else did she want it? It is easy to procure another cable. They got them at every petrol station and supermarket. She should have bought her own.
    via u/Sweeper1985
  • An irritated young woman with blonde hair
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • LibbyGlobalGoals NTA!! She's getting a brand new cable to replace one that sounds like it was on the brink of breaking. Makes no sense that she's still mad
    via u/LibbyGlobalGoals
  • Platypus_Begins Electrician here. NTA, I would have done the exact same thing. Throw it away and buy a new one, if she is so upset she needs to wait, you could drive to an electronic store and get a long one. Or send her money to go and buy one she likes. But regardless NTA
    via u/Platypus_Begins
  • No_Outcome2321 Normally I would say YTA because it's not your object however in this case NTA. That charging cord was a fire hazard waiting to happen. You throwing it saved your sister from a fire happening later down the line.
    via u/No_Outcome2321
  • Koquet NTA. Those kinds of things have to be disposed lest they burn your house down. Your sister sounds irrational.
    via u/Koquet
  • SoulSiren_22 NTA. From what you wrote I was under the impression the cable was your dad's. You said he was shocked at the state of the cable.
    via u/SoulSiren_22
  • forevrtwntyfour NTA you probably saved their house from burning down or themselves from being shocked
    via u/forevrtwntyfour
  • Flat-Replacement4... NTA. These aren't expensive at all. Not replacing a damaged one is just lazy and reckless.
    via u/Flat-Replacement4828
  • Every_Camp_8530 Don't be dumb, yell back at her for almost burning the house down!!! Use some sense. You prevented a fire, and you're apologizing and replacing AND buying stuff?! Get a grip on reality here.
    via u/Every_Camp_8530
  • DanaMarie75038 NTA. Is your sister 13? She's not a smart person, is she? She needs to get educated.
    via u/DanaMarie75038
  • MistyMountainDew... This is why it's important to play Yahtzee with your family. You have to learn how to yell at each other someday.
    via u/MistyMountainDewDrop
  • inee1 NTA. I would have got it backout of the bin and given it back to her, if she's too lazy or tight-fisted to get a new one that's her problem not yours. Probably did it on purpose to con you into getting her a.nw one
    via u/inee1
  • Appropriate_Steak... NTA Garbage can be thrown out by anyone. You replaced it (twice), so all good. Sister is being twitchy.
    via u/Appropriate_Steak486
  • DotAffectionate87 NTA Jesus!......U have replaced it and given her one (albeit shorter) to use in the mean time. Tell your sister to stop being so unreasonable
    via u/DotAffectionate87
  • Moonbeam_Dreams NTA. I'm an electronics tech and your sister's actions were stupid, selfish, and dangerous. She can be as mad as she wants but she was endangering everyone in that household.
    via u/Moonbeam_Dreams
  • GGraceDesignz Me looking at my frayed chargeroo I would be pissed if it were thrown out but i also understand as it is dangerous as it could cause a fire or electrocute someone. I would want to say you are the a- hole but you did the right thing and you even replaced it after finding out that it was hers. So i would say you aren't.
    via u/GGraceDesignz
  • SarahSecressts exposed wires are a literal fire hazard so you probably saved the house while she's just mad about a cord you already replaced
    via u/SarahSecressts
  • schec1 NTA, tossing the dangerous damaged cable was the correct choice, as was replacing the cable with a safe cable.
    via u/schec1
  • Green-Dragon-14 Its OK for her to risk burning down the house in an electrical fire?? Your dad should have stepped in to teach her how dangerous frayed wires are. Nta but you are for replacing it & paying for it. Your sister is a danger to herself & others.
    via u/Green-Dragon-14
  • lotus_eater123 I had a charging cable that had damage at the connector I didn't see. It started sparking and smoking one day. It could have easily started a fire. NTA.
    via u/lotus_eater123

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family drama charger sisters cable fire hazard family sister cables college
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