Most people are attached to their cell phones these days. That often rings especially true for tweens and teens. They’re often the first thing a person looks at when they wake up and the last thing they look at before falling asleep. Many people keep their phone within arm’s reach at all times, even when they’re asleep. It turns out, keeping your cell phone next to you at night might not be such a good idea.
A family in Wales recently learned about the danger that cell phones can cause. The Durant family learned a scary lesson in November when 15-year-old Caitlin went to bed while leaving her iPhone to charge overnight. As many people do, Caitlin left her phone on the top of her quilt while it charged. Little did she know, her phone would cause her bedroom to go up in flames, almost taking the house down with it.
The North Wales Fire & Rescue Department released several photos taken by Caitlin’s mother, to raise awareness about how quickly an innocent situation can turn tragic. The first photo is of Caitlin’s bedroom before the fire.
The second photo shows Caitlin’s bedroom covered in ashes, after the fire was put out by local firefighters.
Because Caitlin left her phone on the top of her fabric quilt while it charged, the soft material blocked the vents on her phone that help keep it from overheating. The blocked vents caused the phone to spark and eventually catch fire. The fire from her small cell phone spread through Caitlin’s bedroom and it was overtaken with flames.
Caitlin was able to escape her room safely. Her bedroom however, is completely destroyed. Her home was left with moderate to severe smoke damage. Thankfully, everyone in the Durant family is safe. But their home will be uninhabitable for at least six months while repairs are made, and they lost many of their possessions.
Cell Phone Safety
The iPhone user’s guide comes with a warning about the importance of keeping the vents open and unblocked. It reads, “iPhone and its power adapter comply with applicable surface temperature standards and limits. However, even with these limits, sustained contact with warm surfaces for long periods of time may cause discomfort or injury.”
The guide goes on to say, “Don’t sleep or place a device or power adapter under a blanket, pillow or your body when it’s plugged into a power source. It’s important to keep iPhone and its power adapter in a well-ventilated area when using or charging them.”
The North Wales Fire & Rescue Service shared a similar message. They warned the public to unplug their cell phone chargers before going to bed. They added never to leave items charging unattended for long periods of time, and to make sure all smoke detectors in the home are working properly.
This isn’t the first time that a cell phone has started a fire. Similar stories have been popping up all over the country, making it clear that precautions should be taken when it comes to cell phones and safety.
Watch the video below for more information!
Sources:
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