15 August 2023, Mumbai: If you like to charge your phone overnight so that you can wake up with a full battery, you might want to think again – as Apple has issued iPhone users a stark warning about the dangers of leaving your phone charging on the bed while you sleep. Manufacturers of the popular mobile phone have said the common sleep mistake could even be deadly.
Must never sleep with your iPhone when it’s charging
For many of us, leaving our phones charging overnight is the most convenient time to replenish their batteries, as there’s no chance of us needing to unplug it before it’s finished. However, Apple has warned you must never sleep with your iPhone when it’s charging, as it could “result in fire, electric shock, injury, or damage to iPhone or other property”.
Dangerous overheating The dangers are especially prevalent if your iPhone is covered up and can’t properly ventilate while it’s charging, which is bad news if you leave your phone next to your pillow at night. This can lead to dangerous overheating and could not only damage your phone but even start a fire.
Take special care if you have a physical condition
In an official safety memo from Apple, they said: “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.”
Apple also warned that the risk of fire increases if you use third-party chargers to power your device, as some cheaper chargers may not have the same safety standards as Apple’s official products. To combat this, Apple recommends looking for “Made for iPhone” cables that comply with international safety standards.
Fake Adapters could pose a risk of death or injury
They explained: “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.”
And it’s not just charging while sleeping that you should avoid, as Apple also insisted that you should never charge your device near water or any other liquid, and should discard chargers as soon as they become damaged. They 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.”
By ASC Priya