Apple has warned iPhone users against leaving the phone charging on the bed while asleep.
It said that owners of the device should never sleep with it while it’s charging, as it could “result in fire, electric shock, injury, or damage to iPhone or other property”.
The consequences can be especially dire if the iPhone is covered up and without proper ventilation while it’s charging.
Risks from low ventilation
This can lead to overheating which is dangerous since it can not only damage the phone but also start a fire.
The official safety memo read, “Don’t sleep on a device, power adapter, or wireless charger, or place them under a blanket, pillow, or your body, when it’s connected to a power source.
Keep your iPhone, the power adapter, and any wireless charger in a well-ventilated area when in use or charging.
Take special care if you have a physical condition that affects your ability to detect heat against the body.”
Risk from chargers
Apple has also stressed that the risk of fire increases if third-party chargers are being used, since these may lack the safety standards of the official products.
Here, Apple has recommended looking for “Made for iPhone” cables that comply with international safety standards.
On this matter, they said, “You can also charge iPhone with ‘Made for iPhone’ or other third-party cables and power adapters that are compliant with USB 2.0 or later and with applicable country regulations and international and regional safety standards.
Other adapters may not meet applicable safety standards, and charging with such adapters could pose a risk of death or injury.”
Additional safety measures
Apple also says that users must avoid charging the device near water or any other liquid.
It has also advised to discard chargers as soon as they become damaged.
It said: “Using damaged cables or chargers, or charging when moisture is present, can cause fire, electric shock, injury, or damage to iPhone or other property.”
Additional precautions to avert any dangers include charging with the phone screen facing up, avoiding ‘damaged cables or chargers’ and avoiding ‘moisture’, ‘metallic cases and metallic foreign objects touching the charger’
