I have an older home, just over 35 year old. Tonight I noticed a strange smell that I thought was eletrical in my room so I went on a search. The only thing I found out of the ordinary was one outlet that had a couple of things plugged in to it (a baby monitor and a air filter that doesn't work anymore). I unplugged the items and felt the outlet. It felt warm. I left the things unplugged. Could this be a danger? Is the outlet active even if nothing is plugged in it? I plan on calling an electrician in the morning to have it looked at, but my biggest concern is how safe it is tonight. Thanks for any help you can offer!

Well any load on the circuit could possibly be passing through the receptacle depending on how the circuit is wired. The problem is most likely that, not just what is plugged in.
I would identify the circuit and turn off the breaker until you can get it looked at.

Thank you Stan. I hadn't thought about flipping the breaker. That will make me feel better until I can get an electrician to look at it. I did go up and check it a little while ago and it doesn't feel warm anymore and the smell is starting to go away. Thanks again!:)

Finster

It sounds like you might have

1. A weak plug outlet.
2 Loose wiring that maybe needs to be tightened up.
3. Your plug outlet itself could be bad and need to be replaced.

To answer your other question about consuming electricity. No, if there is no load being put through the circuit there is no electricity going through it. You might want to check and see what other plug outlets are on that samr circuit, maybe another appliance or something.

If anything, go to your panel and trace the breaker that turns that circuit off so a qualified electrician can come and check it out for you.

If you have a hard time finding the breaker, plug a radio into the plug and turn it up really loud. Flip your single pole breakers until you find the one that turns the radio off.

I hope that helps you out.

Patco Lamp

Ok... so I thought I had a Dead Animal in my wall.. I sniffed around like I was told along the baseboard.. drove me nuts.. only happened at night.. Then finally I thought I had it.. so as instructed online I cut a hole.. NOTHING!. Then determined I kept smelling.. finally Success!! It was an Electric Outlet on an Outside wall that the Previous Owner Had sprayed Expandable Foam In the outlet( presumably to stop a draft) & it was Burning & Melting! The Screws on the outlet were Too hot even to touch! It smelled Like a Dead Fish Or Decaying flesh... I WOULD HAVE NEVER BELIEVED IT WAS THAT IF I HADN'T SAW IT FOR MYSELF!. SCARY BUT TRUE!

Ok...so I thought I had a Dead Animal in my wall..I sniffed around like I was told along the baseboard..drove me nuts..only happened at night..Then finally I thought I had it ..so as instructed online I cut a hole..NOTHING!...Then determined I kept smelling..finally Success!!! It was an Electric Outlet on an Outside wall that the Previous Owner Had sprayed Expandable Foam In the outlet( presumably to stop a draft) & it was Burning & Melting!! The Screws on the outlet were Too hot even to touch!! It smelled Like a Dead Fish Or Decaying flesh...I WOULD HAVE NEVER BELIEVED IT WAS THAT IF i HADN'T SAW IT FOR MYSELF!..SCARY BUT TRUE!
It was not the foam that did that. It had to be a loose connection.