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Parents cautioned on charging phones

Cell phone safety isn’t just about online activity
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Phones and other devices left to charge under bedding can start fires. (Photo by NYPD 33rd Precinct/Twitter)

A lot of people don’t think twice about plugging in their cell phone or any other device to charge before going to bed.

But parents have been circulating on social media photos of burned bedding and charred pillows from children’s rooms in hopes of alerting other parents to just how potentially dangerous that can be.

Many youth are plugging their phones or tablets in at night and sleeping with them under their pillows so they can hear any notifications throughout the night.

But, as Langford Fire Assistant Chief Lance Caven noted, batteries, plugs and the phones themselves can get very hot when charging.

When it’s under a pillow or in blankets, there’s no where for that heat to escape.

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The best thing to do, he noted, is to make sure any batteries or devices are charged on a cool surface with plenty of air flow.

While the department hasn’t seen too many fires that specifically relate to cell phones, they have seen their share of fires involving charging batteries.

Caven noted they’ve had a number of calls where a lap top has been left on a piece of furniture to charge and the heat from the lithium-ion battery has caused charring on the surface underneath.

He added fires from those types of batteries are quite intense and can easily ignite nearby materials.

“The best thing to do if parents are concerned … is to look at the manufacture’s recommendations,” Caven said. “There’s lots of tips and tricks online.”

One of those tips is quite simple. If you can avoid it, do not charge your phone overnight.

By limiting the amount of time the phone is plugged in, you can reduce the risk of heat building up.

Find all of the stories that were in the fall West Shore Family publication online here.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com



Katherine Engqvist

About the Author: Katherine Engqvist

I took on the role of Bureau Chief when we created the Greater Victoria editorial hub in 2018.
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