Apple UK Issues Warning on Charging Safety Guidelines
As Europe continues to experience record-breaking heatwaves, warnings have been issued urging people to pay attention to charging safety guidelines due to concerns about fires caused by overheating mobile phones.
According to the Daily Mail in the United Kingdom on July 1 (local time), Apple UK recently updated its iPhone user guide on its website and provided charging safety instructions for fire prevention, as temperatures in some parts of the country have soared to 33 degrees Celsius amid the ongoing heatwave.
Apple stated, "Avoid situations where devices in operation for extended periods or connected to power, power adapters, or wireless chargers come into direct contact with your skin." The company specifically emphasized, "Do not place charging devices under pillows, blankets, or your body, and do not sleep on top of them."
Apple further advised, "When using or charging, keep your iPhone, power adapter, and wireless charger in a well-ventilated area," warning that "failure to follow safety guidelines can result in fire, electric shock, injury, and even loss of your iPhone or other property."
Experts have also stressed the importance of these safety precautions. Rory Pollard, Executive Director of Firechief Global, a UK fire safety company, explained, "There is a fire risk if you place a charging mobile phone under a pillow or blanket," adding, "The heat generated during charging cannot escape due to the pillow or blanket, increasing the risk of overheating and potentially causing a fire."
He also noted, "Overcharging, such as charging your phone overnight, is one of the main causes of fires in devices equipped with lithium-ion batteries."
To reduce the risk of fire, he advised, "Avoid charging on bedside tables made of flammable materials." Although the latest smartphones have systems to prevent overcharging, he recommended charging devices on a flat surface away from flammable materials in case these systems fail.
Meanwhile, Europe has recently been suffering from an unusually early heatwave. In some southern European cities, temperatures have exceeded 46 degrees Celsius, setting new records for June, and wildfires are spreading in many areas due to the hot and dry weather. In France, outdoor activities have been banned, and access to major tourist attractions in Paris has been restricted. Even London, which is located relatively further north, continues to experience sweltering heat.
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