Firefighters are Warning About the One Place You Should Never, Ever Charge Your Phone

Sep 11, 2018 by apost team

Technology can be a great way to stay connected and entertained. Unfortunately, electronic equipment is not always as safe as we think it is. One of the freakiest examples of something going wrong with technology were the recent explosions of smartphone batteries. The idea of having something you keep in your pocket or by your face exploding is definitely scary. It turns out that there is a new cell phone problem that we need to be concerned about.

More and more professional firefighters are noticing that smartphones are causing fires. It turns out that an overheated phone battery can easily get so warm that it causes a fire to start. The Fire Department in Newton, New Hampshire got on social media recently to make sure people know about the dangers. The Newton Firefighters explain that the easiest way for a phone to overheat and start a fire is by charging it in bed while you sleep.

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The problem occurs when a person plugs their phone into a charger and then tucks the phone under their pillow or on their bed while they fall asleep. Typical bedding tends to trap heat. This means that the heat of the battery cannot escape, so temperatures climb to dangerous levels.

As the charger gets warmer and warmer, it can easily burn the sheets and other bedclothes that are so easy to burn. The high temperatures can also burn a person who rolls over on the phone while they sleep.

To emphasize their point, the firefighters posted photos showing the scorch marks made by a typical charger. Research has found that over half of all teens charge their phone in bed, so your kids may have the highest risk of getting burnt by a charging phone.

Firefighters in Alabama have a few suggestions for ways to reduce the risk of fires from night time charging. The most important thing is to never charge your phone overnight. This excessively long charging time is what causes batteries to get too hot, and it happens right when you are sleeping and unaware of an issue.

In general, it is a good idea to never use a cheap aftermarket charger or an old charger with wear and tear. These sorts of chargers are more likely to overheat or spark. To let excess heat dissipate properly, put your phone a flat, aerated surface instead of surrounding it with soft items.

Now that you know about the dangers of night time charging, it is important to spread the word. Make sure no one you know charges their phone in bed while they sleep.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!