APPLE has warned iPhone owners against a common mistake that could prove deadly.
It’s an urgent alert: if you’re doing it, you should stop immediately.
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One of the most popular times to charge up an iPhone is overnight.
It’s very normal to put your iPhone on a bedside table to charge so that you wake up with a full battery for the day ahead.
But Apple warned that you must never sleep with your iPhone when it’s charging.
The alert comes in an official safety memo that warns iPhone users risk “result in fire, electric shock, injury, or damage to iPhone or other property”.
It’s especially dangerous if your iPhone is covered up and can’t ventilate properly.
Apple said this can lead to dangerous overheating.
The iPhone maker revealed four rules you shouldn’t break: “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.”
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Apple added: “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.”
The risk of fire grows if you use cheap third-party chargers that may not have the same safety standards as Apple’s official plugs and cables.
Apple explained: “You can also charge iPhone with ‘Made for iPhone’ or other third-party cables and power adapters that are compliant with USB 2.0 or later and with applicable country regulations and international and regional safety standards.
“Other adapters may not meet applicable safety standards, and charging with such adapters could pose a risk of death or injury.”
There have been dozens of instances of fires being caused by unsafe smartphone charging cables or adapters.
So it’s important you avoid buying unsafe chargers, especially if you’re plugging in at night when you might not notice a fire.
Of course that’s not the only charging mistake that you need to avoid.
Apple also warned that liquid being near your charge can pose a severe danger.
“Using damaged cables or chargers, or charging when moisture is present, can cause fire, electric shock, injury, or damage to iPhone or other property,” Apple advised.
