Refrain from charging devices overnight to avoid fire hazards – JFB

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is urging persons to refrain from charging electronic devices overnight to prevent fire hazards.

JFB Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, told JIS News in an interview that devices such as mobile phones and tablet and laptop computers are powered by lithium-ion batteries which can be damaged if overcharged.

“(So) don’t ever charge your cell phone overnight… because you just don’t know when the battery in that phone will go into what is referred to as thermal runaway,” he said.

Thermal runaway occurs when the lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state, which may result in the ejection of gas/fume and fire.

“If you put your phone to charge and go to sleep, chances are you are not going to unplug it until (the next) morning when you wake up…. That’s probably five, six hours. It doesn’t take that long to charge it, an hour and a half (or) two hours maximum (will do),” said Beckford.

He elaborated that if persons need to charge their devices overnight, they should place the on a hard surface.

“What we have seen over time is that persons will be charging their cell phones and they have them in the bed. We have seen fires occur where persons left laptops charging in beds (and) sofas… so we discourage that practice,” Beckford pointed out.

He advised that while the use of the devices is important, persons should be aware of the risks involved, and ensure that they know how to mitigate against them.