{"id":25811,"date":"2026-11-09T09:32:29","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T09:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/?p=25811"},"modified":"2026-11-09T09:32:29","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T09:32:29","slug":"firefighters-warn-against-very-dangerous-place-to-charge-phone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/?p=25811","title":{"rendered":"Firefighters warn against \u2018very dangerous\u2019 place to charge phone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2023, an Arizona middle schooler was almost killed in a fire, started by her cellphone that sparked deadly flames while powering up overnight in her bed.<\/strong>

Now, firefighters are reminding smartphone users to practice safe charging habits, so you and your device don\u2019t go up in smoke.<\/strong>

Keep reading to learn the risks of improper charging!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent study reports that 62% of people fall asleep with their phones charging overnight, preparing for full battery life the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, the Montgomery County Fire Department warns against this \u201cvery dangerous habit.\u201d \u201cNo matter how much you LOVE your phone \u2013 please DON\u2019T sleep with it!\u201d the Maryland Fire Department shares in a tweet. \u201c[Did you know] that your charger can start a fire? Never leave phones charging on a bed, under a pillow or on any flammable surface. (tell your [kids] who are always on their phones).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arizona\u2019s Faustina Feeley was one of those kids who kept her charging phone in bed with her while she slept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In May 2023, the middle school student was recharging her body in slumber when a frightening incident jarred her from her deep sleep.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The girl was shocked when just before 7 a.m., she opened her eyes and saw flames consuming her bed.

\u201cI woke up and heard this like pop sound,\u201d Faustina told 12 News, an NBC affiliate. \u201cI looked down and I saw that there [were] flames.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing that her bed was on fire, the young girl bolted out of her room and started shouting for her parents

I heard Faustina in the hallway say my bed [is] on fire!\u201d said Faustina\u2019s dad, Jim Feeley, who quickly responded to the growing fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou could see the mattress and how it just consumed the mattress,\u201d said Feeley, adding that he was able to douse the blaze before anyone was hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the news outlet, Faustina had gone to sleep, her phone charging on the bed next to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe case started melting,\u201d Faustina said of her charred phone. \u201cIt\u2019s like ripped in half.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing some advice from her experience, Fuastina adds, \u201cPut it like somewhere away from your bed not by like any cloth material where they can catch on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safe charging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Improper charging can pose fire risks if not handled correctly but with a few mindful steps, you can avoid potential hazards and keep your device (and yourself) safe.

Use quality chargers and cables<\/strong>: Always use the charger and cable that came with your phone or buy certified replacements from reputable brands and don\u2019t be tempted by discount store chargers. Cheap, off-brand chargers may lack safety features, leading to overheating, short circuits, and, in worst cases, fires. Avoid counterfeit chargers and look for certifications like CE or UL, which indicate that the charger has passed safety standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid charging overnight<\/strong>: Plugging your cellphone in overnight may seem convenient, but extended charging can lead to overheating if your device lacks a \u201csmart charging\u201d feature. Leaving your phone to charge for extended periods puts unnecessary stress on the battery, increasing heat buildup. Instead, try charging during the day, and unplug it once it\u2019s sufficiently charged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rest device on a hard, flat surface<\/strong>: Charging on flammable materials, like a bed, sofa, or pillow, can trap heat and prevent the device from cooling down properly. For safe charging, place your cellphone on a hard, flat surface \u2013 like a desk or table \u2013 with good airflow. A well-ventilated spot keeps your device cooler, reducing the risk of overheating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regularly inspect your charging cable and port<\/strong>: Frayed or damaged charging cables are a common fire hazard. If you notice any wear and tear, replace the cable immediately. Also, check that your phone\u2019s charging port is clean and free from debris to ensure a secure connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t use your phone while charging<\/strong>: Using your phone while it\u2019s charging causes it to work harder, which generates more heat. This can be dangerous, especially with high-intensity activities like gaming or video streaming, as they add additional strain to the battery. If possible, let your phone rest while it charges to avoid overheating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By taking these simple precautions, you can ensure that your phone charges safely without the risk of fire. Practicing mindful charging habits protects your device, your battery, and, most importantly, your safety.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In 2023, an Arizona middle schooler was almost killed in a fire, started by her cellphone that sparked deadly flames while powering up overnight in her bed.Now, firefighters are reminding smartphone users to practice safe charging habits, so you and your device don\u2019t go up in smoke.Keep reading to learn the risks of improper charging! …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":25812,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25811"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25813,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25811\/revisions\/25813"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}