In the digital age, where smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives, the practice of charging our devices overnight has become a norm. It offers the convenience of starting the day with a full battery, ready to tackle the challenges ahead. However, a recent warning from Apple sheds light on the potential dangers associated with charging your iPhone overnight. While the convenience of waking up to a charged phone is undeniable, the risks of fire and injury should not be underestimated.1
Overheating and Poor Ventilation
Apple’s cautionary message highlights a less-obvious consequence of overnight charging – the risk of overheating. Leaving your iPhone underneath a pillow or buried beneath blankets might seem cozy, but it could lead to hazardous consequences. The company emphasizes that when your phone is obstructed and unable to properly ventilate, the risk of overheating becomes substantial. Overheating not only endangers the functionality of your device, but it could also lead to a potentially catastrophic outcome: fire.
Apple’s safety information underscores the importance of avoiding situations where your skin is in prolonged contact with the charging cable and connector. The memo explains that prolonged contact with warm surfaces can lead to discomfort or injury. Such scenarios are not limited to simply sleeping on the charging cable but extend to placing the device, power adapter, or wireless charger under blankets, pillows, or even your own body when they are connected to a power source.
Safety Memo for iPhone
Apple’s official safety memo leaves no room for ambiguity when it comes to charging practices. The memo serves as a stark reminder that even though overnight charging might be a common practice, it is not without its risks. Apple’s safety recommendations align with expert insights, emphasizing the significance of maintaining proper ventilation during charging.
In a TikTok video, a firefighter from Kent Fire Rescue shared crucial information that reinforces Apple’s warnings. Addressing common misconceptions, the firefighter highlighted three critical points. Firstly, the inability to smell danger while asleep, rendering individuals unaware of a potential fire. Secondly, the alarmingly swift onset of unconsciousness, making it nearly impossible to respond to emergencies. And thirdly, the fact that even genuine phone chargers can, in some cases, start fires. The firefighter’s advice boils down to one clear recommendation: it’s much safer to charge your phone while you’re awake and vigilant.
Apple’s Recommendations for Safer iPhone Charging
Apple’s safety guidelines extend beyond the realm of overnight charging, encompassing broader considerations for a safer charging experience.2 While the allure of leaving your phone under a pillow for convenient charging might be enticing, the potential consequences far outweigh the short-term benefits.
Apple’s recommendations revolve around maintaining a well-ventilated charging environment to prevent overheating. The company cautions against placing your iPhone, power adapter, or wireless charger under a blanket, pillow, or your body while connected to a power source. These precautions are particularly crucial if you have a physical condition that might hinder your ability to sense heat.
Moreover, Apple’s vigilance extends to the use of third-party chargers. While opting for cheaper alternatives might seem practical, it poses a considerable risk. Non-official chargers might not adhere to the same rigorous safety standards as Apple’s official products. To mitigate the risk of fire, injury, and damage, Apple advises users to seek out “Made for iPhone” cables that comply with international safety regulations.
In conclusion, Apple’s stark warning against overnight charging serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of adhering to safe charging practices. The potential risks of overheating, fire, and injury are far too significant to overlook. Even seemingly innocent habits like placing your phone under a pillow can lead to serious consequences. By following Apple’s safety memo and recommendations, users can prioritize their safety, the well-being of their devices, and the peace of mind that comes from responsible charging practices.
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Apple issues warning for people who leave their iPhone on charge while they sleep
It could lead to dire consequences
Gregory Robinson
Dozing off while charging your phone overnight could lead to serious consequences.
So much so that Apple issued a warning to iPhone users who leave their device on charge while they sleep.
Although leaving your mobile plugged in while you drift off into a peaceful slumber seems like a convenient way to save time by ensuring you wake up to a full battery, it’s best to avoid doing this because of the risk of fire and injury.
The dangers are particularly prevalent if you iPhone is covered up and is unable to ventilate properly, like if it’s beneath a pillow or duvet. This common mistake could lead to dangerous overheating that could ultimately damage your phone and, in some situations, could even start a fire.
In the ‘Important safety information for iPhone’ memo on the Apple website, Apple warns that phone users should ‘avoid prolonged skin contact with the charging cable and connector when the charging cable is connected to a power source because it may cause discomfort or injury’.
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The memo also states: “Sleeping or sitting on the charging cable or connector should be avoided.”
In regards to prolonged heat exposure, Apple warns that ‘sustained contact with warm surfaces for long periods of time may cause discomfort or injury’.
The memo continues: “Use common sense to avoid situations where your skin is in contact with a device, its power adapter, or a wireless charger when it’s operating or connected to a power source for long periods of time.
“For example, 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.”
These rules should be followed even if you don’t use an iPhone.
Although it may seem obvious, falling asleep while your phone is charging is all too common.
In a post on TikTok, a firefighter from Kent Fire Rescue said: “We get a lot of questions here at Kent Fire Rescue about why you shouldn’t charge phones overnight. So here are the reasons why.
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“Number one: you can’t smell anything when you’re asleep, so if it starts to burn, the fire won’t wake you up.
“Number two: it only takes three breaths, right, to knock you unconscious.
“Number three: lots of people have cheap or faulty phone chargers, or even genuine ones have been known start fires.
“If you’re able to, we advise you to charge your phone when you’re there and awake from a fire service point of view. It’s much safer.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photos
Topics: Life, Technology, Apple, Sleep
Gregory Robinson
Woman shares iPhone hack that helps you use your phone even if it has run out of battery
This is so handy!
Gregory Robinson
A woman has left TikTok users in shock after sharing a mind-blowing iPhone hack that helps you use your phone even if it has run out of charge. Watch the video below:
Anastasia Kiss, 28, is constantly on the move and relies on using her phone for electronic payments, including her Apple wallet which means she rarely carries cash.
In the event her phone has run out of battery but she needs to make an electronic payment, Anastasia found a solution thanks to a kind stranger who shared his secret.
“I always worried what would happen if my phone died and I didn’t have cash or my card on me, as I don’t like to carry around cash,” Anastasia told NeedToKnow.Online
“I got to the turnstile to scan out and realised I was stuck. “I saw a long line of people waiting at the customer service counter to buy tickets and no one could help me.
Jam Press
“In a panic, I thought maybe someone could help scan me out of the turnstile with their card, so I turned to a man walking by and asked him if he could scan me.
“He then told me if my Octopus card is connected to my Apple Wallet, I could still use it even if my phone died. I didn’t believe him and after giving it a go, it worked!”
An Octopus card is a reusable contactless smart card used for making payments in Hong Kong.
Anastasia, who lives between Hong Kong and New York, works as an actress and content creator.
“I was dumbfounded – I thought how strange it was that I wasn’t aware of this function, and that we so heavily rely on our phones in daily situations.”
Jam Press
After arriving home she decided to so some digging to find out exactly how the function works, before sharing her discovery on TikTok.
“The NFC chip in the card stays active if you have something called Express Mode set up. “All this time I had no idea!
“I thought it might help out other people too, if they ever find themselves in a similar situation.
“The video went viral overnight with people from all over the world saying they are trying it in their own city’s train stations, or to make purchases after their phone is dead!”
Anastasia is happy with the response her video has as she feels it can be helpful to women in particular, should they be stuck in an uncomfortable situation.
“I think for women this is comforting in a way – if your phone dies, you can still exit the train or bus, and you don’t feel stuck and have to ask people for help.
“Furthermore, if an NFC chip is still activated and able to work for Express Pay on the Apple Wallet for transit, more apps could develop similar features to help with safety and tracking services to ensure we can all get home safely or get help when needed.”