Articles 1

Don't sleep with your phone! NYPD tweets

pics of charred pillows to warn about
dangers of charging your cell in bed
 NYPD tweeted images of badly burned beds as a warning
to phone users
 Fire chiefs also caution that gadgets should be well
ventilated while they are being charged
 Placing a phone under your pillow can cause it to overheat
and catch fire

The New York Police Department has cautioned people against sleeping with
cell phones under their pillows with an alarming tweet showing bedspreads that
have been set on fire.

Officers tweeted four pictures of pillows that have had holes burned in them
after the cell phone underneath overheated and set light to them.

Fire chiefs have previously warned that sandwiching a charging phone between
a pillow and a mattress can cause batteries to overheat and possibly catch fire or
explode.
The NYPD shared these dramatic pictures of bed that caught light after people charged their
phones under their pillows while warning residents not to do it
Fire crews around the U.S. have previously said that all electronics should be well ventilated
while charging to avoid the risk of overheating the battery

David Berardesca, fire chief from Hamden, Connecticut, told NBC: 'The cell
phone was left on the bed. These devices need areas to be ventilated.

'It is recommended that you leave these type of devices on a hard surface so the
heat can dissipate. The batteries heat up, they could melt – in some cases,
explode – and cause a fire.'

He was speaking after a 15-year-old's bed burst into flames after a charging cell
phone caught fire, leading to his home being evacuated at around 4am.

Meanwhile Ariel Tolfree, 13, from Texas, also escaped major burns after her
bed set on fire because of a Samsung S4 phone she left charging underneath her
pillow.

Tolfree's father, Thomas, said the phone was charging by her bed back in 2014
but likely slipped under the pillow before overheating.
The images were put out by the NYPD's 33rd Precinct along with a message which said: 'Don't
put your cellphone under a pillow when sleeping or when charging your device'
Phone companies also warn users about the dangers of charging phones underneath pillows

He told Fox 4: 'The whole phone melted. The plastic, the glass. You can't even
really tell that it was a phone.'

The image of Tolfree's bedspread was among the four pictures tweeted by the
NYPD, with a spokesman saying the tweet wasn't related to a specific incident,
but was a general safety warning.

At least two of the images appeared to come from the UK, with one being
posted by father Dwayne Blanchard, from Leicester, in November last year.

Blanchard explained being woken up by his smoke alarm before discovering

that son Brandon's bed was on fire after he left a cell phone under his pillow.

In another incident, 25-year-old Holly Hewett, from Kent, awoke to find her
Samsung phone had begun sizzling while she slept.

After picking up the device it began sparking, and while taking it out of her
bedroom the battery swelled up and melted through the plastic casing on the
back, the Kent Messenger reports.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3453519/Don-t-sleep-phone-NYPD-tweets-
pics-charred-pillows-warn-dangers-charging-cell-bed.html#ixzz4k5ycYO1Q

Articles 2

Why do cellphones explode and how to

prevent it
TNN | Updated: Mar 16, 2014, 06.16 AM IST

Mobile phones may be treated like playthings these days. However, these flashy gadgets can prove dangerous if ...
Read More
NAGPUR: Mobile phones may be treated like playthings these days. However, these
flashy gadgets can prove dangerous if not handled with care. Several instances have
been reported about the phones blasting off suddenly, the latest victim of which was a
14-year-old child of daily wage workers from Seoni. The blast was so bad that the boy
narrowly escaped death and ended up with severe disfigurement to his jaw, nose,
mouth and face. TOI tells you the do's and don'ts of handling mobile phones.

What are the things to be kept in mind while buying mobile phones?

Buy a branded phone as far as possible. Ensure that the phone has a proper IMEI
number, which is a code that identifies each phone. Check that the number on the
phone corresponds to that on the box and receipts.

It is considered wise to check the accessories such as earphones, battery and charger.
Make sure the battery description such as voltage value matches with that of the
charger to avoid overcharging which sometimes lead to explosion of handset.

How and why do mobile phone blasts happen?

The most common reasons for a cell phone to explode are using it while the phone is
being charged and 'call bombing'. Charging puts pressure on the motherboard of the
phone, using it during charging increases this pressure manifold. This causes the
cheap electronic components in some mobiles to explode. Call bombing refers to calls
or missed calls received from international numbers. If one receives or calls these
numbers back and the call exceeds a certain amount of time, the phone will blast.
There is also a malware, or bug, found in some Android-based smartphones, that can
also cause explosion by exerting extra pressure on the motherboard during charging.

What care should be taken to ensure not much pressure is put on the phone?

Avoid using the phone while the battery is being charged. If you wish to receive a call
during this time, disconnect the phone from charger before connecting the call. Ensure
it is not over-charged by removing the electric supply when the battery is fully
charged. If your battery seems to have swollen, replace it immediately.

Why is it dangerous to buy cheap phones?

Most cheap models, like those of Chinese make, use hardware and components that
are not branded and often substandard. The quality of vital accessories such as battery
and earphones are compromised which can have disastrous outcome. Such
components cannot be used continuously for as long as their high-quality substitutes.
Their shelf life is also shorter.

Is it more harmful to surf internet or download anything on mobile phones?

Yes, because the anti-virus softwares for mobile phones are not as effective. That is
why one should avoid downloading anything from a third party vendor, ie directly
from the internet browser. Instead use the in-built store or market application provided
by the operating system. Malware, which is software that creates a bug in the
operating system of the phone, often gets downloaded with third party tools. The sites
that you visit using the phone must start with an https (which means they are
encrypted or safe sites).

Avoid using public or unsecured Wi-Fi connections. A hacker could access the mobile
device through a port that is not secured. Make sure the Bluetooth connectivity is not
switched on in public places as it can be used to send malicious files which corrupt the
operating system.

Are there certain precautions that must be practiced while using a mobile
phone?
While communicating using your cell phone, try to keep the cell phone away from the
body as this would reduce the strength of the electromagnetic field of the radiations.
Whenever possible, use the speaker-phone mode or a wireless blue tooth headset. For
long conversations, use a landline phone.

Avoid carrying your cell phone on your body at all times. When in pocket, make sure
that key pad is positioned toward your body so that the transmitted electromagnetic
fields move away from you rather than through you. Do not keep it near your body at
night such as under pillow or a bedside table, particularly if pregnant. You can also
put it on 'flight' or 'offline' mode, which stops electromagnetic emissions. Avoid using
your cell phone when signal is weak or when moving at high speed, such as in car or
train.

How to deal with a wet phone?

After removing the phone from water, dismantle it by removing battery, SIM and
memory cards and switch it off (only SIM card in case of an iPhone). Dry each
component thoroughly (but gently) with a towel until the phone is dry to the touch.
Then put all components in a bowl of uncooked rice in a way that all components are
totally covered. If you have any silica packets (the ones that come with products like
new shoes), put them in to the bowl too. Leave it there for 12-24 hours.

Never use a hair dryer to try to dry the phone quicker. Drying it with a heated hair
dryer can cause important parts to melt, while forcing water further into the phone.
Drying it will a cold hair dryer will just force water deeper into the phone.
http://www.gadgetsnow.com/tech-news/Why-do-cellphones-explode-and-how-to-
prevent-it/articleshow/32100765.cms

Articles 3

Is it Dangerous to Talk on the Phone While it's Charging?

There are several cases of cell phones catching fire or exploding all of a sudden, thereby causing
injuries to their owners. Most of these incidents seemed to have happened while the phone in
question was charging. So, is it dangerous to talk on the phone while it's charging? Find out in
this Buzzle article.
Tagged Under: Cell Phone Safety

Advertisement

Did You Know?According to the World Health Organization, at the end of 2009, there were an
estimated 4.6 billion subscriptions for cell phones. In many places around the world, cell phones
are the only reliable form of communication.Probably one of the greatest inventions of the 21st
century, a cell phone is a device that has changed the face of communication. A cell phone is
powered by a battery which gets exhausted when using the phone, and needs to be charged
regularly.

While charging, cell phones have, at times, exploded and caused electrocutions and fires.
However, these have been linked to faulty or damaged batteries or unauthorized charging cords.
However, are cell phones really safe, or there are any health hazards associated with them?The
Story So FarEmails have circulated in the past which mention the hazards of using a cell phone
while it is charging. The following cases have been reported which claim that death occurred due
to the explosion of the cell phone battery:

According to reports, in 2004, an Indian, K. Viswajith, was electrocuted when he answered a call
on his mobile phone while it was being charged.

There was an incident which occurred in 2005 that electrocuted a Nigerian man in a similar way.

In another case, a man from California suffered painful second- and third-degree burns after his
phone exploded.

Also, in July 2013, a Chinese stewardess was reportedly killed after she answered her Apple
iPhone 5 while it was charging. Apple Inc. is investigating her death.
These are some fatal cases that have been reported when the phone was answered while it was
charging. There have been numerous instances of cell phones exploding or catching fire all of a
sudden, causing injuries to their owners. Most of these incidents were said to have occurred as a
result of the use of faulty and/or unauthorized batteries.

As long as you are using factory-authorized batteries and power supplies, which ensures their
compatibility and shelf life, it is safe to talk on a cell phone while it is charging.How to Avoid
the ProblemRegulation and safety protocols of electronics are of prime importance, and mobile
phones are one of the most closely monitored electronic devices. To prevent such mishaps from
occurring, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends certain safety
precautions:► Do not use fake batteries or chargers.► Do not speak on the phone while it is
charging.► Plug off the mobile as soon as it is fully charged. Do not let the battery overheat.►
Do not charge a wet phone as the mobile phone circuit can be seriously damaged, and a current
passing through the wet phone can cause it to explode. So, wait till the phone has dried up
properly, and only then charge the phone.► Damaged batteries should be replaced immediately.
Avoid tampering with the battery and bringing it in contact with other metal objects in the
vicinity of the phone.► Avoid placing the mobile near heating appliances, or areas where it may
get overheated, like sunlight, kitchen stove or gas, microwave oven, iron, or other radiation-
emitting appliance.Also, make sure that the mobile, charger, and battery, are all from the same
brand. This determines their compatibility and minimizes the risk. Follow the instructions given
by the manufacturer regarding the usage, storage, and recharging of the battery.Other Harmful
Effects of Cell Phones on HealthAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), the radio
frequencies emitted from cell phones cause heating of the tissues and skin. However, studies are
yet to be conducted to prove that these frequencies affect sleep, cognitive function, or heart rate.
A study by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine shows that the heat and radiation
emitted by cell phones slows down sperm motility and decreases potency, especially in those
users who frequently use cell phones.Overuse of anything, whether good or bad, is harmful. So,
let the phone charge completely before using it, to keep you safe, sound, and prevent the
occurrence of any accidents or mishaps

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/is-it-dangerous-to-talk-on-the-phone-

while-its-charging.html

Articles 4

Avoid Using Cell Phones While Walking In

Public
Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Published: Thursday 20 June 2013 Published: Thu 20 Jun 2013
Using your cell phone while walking may not be the best idea, according to a new report
published in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention. The study revealed that in 2010,
over 1,500 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms across the U.S. because of cell phone
use while walking.

Despite the recent drop in the number of injured pedestrians, total injuries related to walking while
using a cell phone have more than doubled over the past decade.

Jack Nasar, co-author of the study and professor of city and regional planning at The Ohio State
University, said that if this trend continues he wouldn't be surprised if the number of pedestrian
deaths related to cell phone use doubles again by 2015.

He added that "the role of cell phones in distracted driving injuries and deaths gets a lot of attention
and rightly so, but we need to also consider the danger cell phone use poses to pedestrians."

According to the results of the study people between the ages of 16 to 25 were at the most risk of
being injured because of cell phone use.

The researchers analyzed injury reports of more than 100 hospitals collected by the National
Electronic Injury Surveillance System - a database maintained by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety
Commission (CPSC).

From 2004 to 2010 the investigators identified the number of pedestrian injuries which were
associated with cell phone use.

The researchers came across several cases of accidents while people were walking and talking on
their mobile phones. One case involved a teenage boy walking straight off a bridge into a ditch while
talking on a cell phone, and another man was hit by car while walking across the road and chatting
on his phone.

In 2004, around 559 pedestrians were admitted to hospital following an injury related to cell phone
use, the following year there were only 256 cases.

However, the number of pedestrians treated in emergency rooms while using their cell phone
has risen every year since 2005.
 Using cell phones while walking in public places can be hazardous.

In 2004, around 97,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms (for any type of accident), this
number dropped to 41,000 in 2010.

The figures are probably much higher

The authors say that the number of cell phone-related injuries could actually be a lot higher.

They believe that a better way of calculating the real extent of pedestrian injuries related to cell
phone use could come from comparing distracted walking to distracted driving - which has been
studied very well.

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health revealed that texting and cell phone use
have led to a significant rise in fatalities due to distracted driving, rising from 4,572 fatalities in 2005
to 5,870 in 2008.

Another study, which appeared in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology showed that people have
greater difficultly maintaining a fixed speed, or keeping their car safe in a single lane when using
their cell phone.

The researchers compared CPSC estimates for injuries among drivers who were distracted by cell
phones with more accurate data gathered from emergency rooms.

The analysis revealed that the number of actual crash-related injuries in emergency rooms
related to cell phone use is grossly underestimated by the CPSC. In fact, Nasar said that the real
number of injuries is more than 1,300 times higher than what the CPSC estimated.

Data such as these for injuries among pedestrians isn't as available, but the researchers estimate there
could have been as many as 2 million pedestrian injuries related to mobile phone use in 2010.

In addition, Nasar pointed out that not every person who experiences an injury actually ends up in
hospital, such as those who are uninsured or who'd rather take care of themselves.

Nasar said: "It is impossible to say whether 2 million distracted pedestrians are really injured each
year. But I think it is safe to say that the numbers we have are much lower than what is really
happening."

Young people were more likely to be distracted while walking, especially those between the age of
21 to 25 (with 1,003 total injuries during the seven years).

Talking on the phone accounted for 69 percent of the injuries compared to only 9 percent because of
texting.

Nasar believes that the increased injury rate associated with cell phone use while talking rather than
texting is only because people talk on the phone more often than they text.

He concluded:

"As more people get cell phones and spend more time using them, the number of injuries
is likely to increase as well. Now people are playing games and using social media on
their phones too. Parents already teach their children to look both ways when crossing the
street. They should also teach them to put away their cell phone when walking,
particularly when crossing a street."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262231.php
Articles 5
Don’t Bother: Why You Don’t Want to Wirelessly Charge Your Smartphone

By Chris Hoffman on November 11th, 2015

Wireless charging is overrated — at least in its current form. The dream of wireless power
sounds great, but current wireless charging technologies are more “plugless” than “wireless.”
They’re also less convenient, slower, and less-efficient than just plugging your phone in.

Let’s be honest: Wireless chargers are more interesting as a proof of concept and a glimpse at
future technologies than they are practical. When you charge your smartphone, you’ll want to
plug it in with a cable.

Wireless Chargers Are Even More Constrained Than Charging Cables

RELATED ARTICLE

No More Cables: How Wireless Charging Works and How You Can Use It Today

To use a wireless charger, you place your smartphone down on a “charging mat.” That mat is
plugged in with a wire, and it sits on a table — you may want to leave it on your bedside table,
for example. While the smartphone is placed on that charging mat, the mat will wirelessly
transmit power to the phone. Lift the smartphone from the mat and the wireless charging will
stop.

Let’s think about it: What other “wireless” technologies work in this way? Wireless Internet (Wi-
Fi) works everywhere in your home. You don’t have to place your laptop on top of the router to
get Internet access. That’s the whole point of wireless Internet — you have freedom to move
around.

RELATED ARTICLE

Stop Huddling by the Outlet: Longer Smartphone Cables Are Dirt Cheap

In terms of pure freedom to move around, a charging cable is just better. Yes, the cable that came
with your smartphone is very short and requires you be very near a power outlet. But you can
buy much longer third-party charging cables — both Lightning cables for iPhones and standard
USB cables for Android phones. Plug your smartphone into that longer cable and you can
actually use it while it’s charging. You don’t have to hunch over the table to use the phone. With
a wireless charger, you would have to hunch over to use it while it’s charging.
For example, let’s say you charge your smartphone on your bedside table. You could either use a
charging mat — and the phone would only charge while it’s sitting on that mat — or use a longer
cable. If you plugged it in with a cable, you’d be able to lift the phone off the table and use it
while it charges.

The same goes for chargers in other places, too. When charging a smartphone at a desk, you
could leave it sitting on a pad the entire time or plug it into a longer cable that allows you to lift
the cable and use it.

That longer cable will be much cheaper than buying a wireless charger, too. There’s another
problem with getting a wireless charger: You have to spend extra, often $50 or more, for a
device that’s arguably less convenient.

And, by the way — depending on the smartphone and wireless charger, it may be a bit finicky.
You can’t necessarily just plop it down anywhere on the charging mat. You have to ensure it
lines up and starts charging. If you’re picking up your smartphone and putting it back down
regularly, you’ll need to ensure it lines up well enough every time you put it down. That’s more
work than simply plugging it in once and then putting it down wherever you want afterwards.

Wireless chargers do involve a wire — between the charging pad and outlet. There’s no
wire between the phone and charging pad. Instead, the phone has to be pressed right up to the
charging pad — it’s contactless. “Wireless” implies a lot of freedom a wireless charger doesn’t
actually offer.

It Takes Longer, Uses More Power, and Generates More Heat

There’s a reason we normally plug devices in to charge them. It’s just faster and more efficient to
transmit energy over a wire.

Wired charging is much faster than wireless charging. Anandtech found that a Samsung Galaxy
S6 can charge from zero percent to 100 percent battery power in 1.48 hours if you plug it in and
charge over a wired connection. Wireless charging takes 3.01 hours, which is twice as long. That
may not seem like a big deal if you’re charging overnight, of course. But, if you quickly want a
top-up your phone, you should stick with a wired connection rather than a wireless one.

It’s also less efficient. This means it will take more electricity to charge a phone if you do so
wirelessly. Some of that wasted power will be in the form of excess heat. While the heat won’t
destroy your phone, heat is the enemy of your smartphone’s battery — that heat will translate to
a bit more wear on your battery.

None of this is the end of the world. You’ll have an okay experience if you use wireless
charging. Your phone will probably charge fast enough, as long as you’re not in a hurry, and the
extra power shouldn’t be a noticeable drain on your electric bill. The extra heat probably won’t
noticeably accelerate your battery’s decay, either.

But why put up with all those downsides to use something that’s just less convenient and flexible
than simply plugging your phone in?
The latest specifications allow for wireless charging from up to a few feet away from a charger,
but it’ll be even less efficient — that means even slower and more wasteful with electricity.

The dream of wireless charging is great, of course. If only we could have some sort of wireless
power device in our home that would charge our smartphones as we use them without having to
press them against it. If only our smartphones would charge automatically when we placed them
down on a table at a restaurant. But we’re a ways from that.

As someone who’s tried wireless charging with several different Android smartphones, believe
me: you’re better off with a wired charger and a longer cable.

https://www.howtogeek.com/233205/why-you-dont-want-to-wirelessly-charge-your-smartphone/