You may want to think twice before using your smartphone or tablet in bed. Though we already know these devices can negatively impact sleeping habits, according to a new PSA posted on Facebook by a fire department in New Hampshire in America, they can also become a big safety issue.
The Newton Fire Department recently shared a photo of burned sheets and pillows beside a charger as proof that this could happen to anyone.
"Research has revealed that 53% of children/teens charge their phone or tablet either on their bed or under their pillow," they wrote. "The heat generated cannot dissipate, and the charger will become hotter and hotter."
According to Pop Sugar, research also shows that 89% of teens use at least one device in their "sleep environment" based on a National Sleep Foundation poll in 2013. "The likely result is that the pillow/bed will catch fire," the fire department added. "This places everyone in the home in great danger."
To protect yourself and your device, always use an official charger, says Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "To check if a charger is Apple certified, look for the 'Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad' logo," she says. "Avoid charging in extreme environmental conditions — too hot or too cold — and charge your device out of any case, as that can generate excess heat."
{H/T Pop Sugar}
