Imagine a quiet night. You fall asleep with your phone charging, placed under your pillow or on the bed. Nothing unusual, right? Yet, this simple action could unknowingly turn your bed into a source of danger.
Firefighters and home safety experts are increasingly warning that many fires are caused by phones overheating while charging, especially when they are covered by bedding.
The risky cocktail: heat, fabric and battery
Modern phones, like iPhones and tablets, contain lithium-ion batteries. Compact and powerful, they can become hot when poorly ventilated. A pillow or duvet prevents natural heat dissipation. The result? Temperatures can rise dangerously, reaching up to 600°C in the event of a fire.
British firefighter Mark Sutherland explains:
« Many people think their appliances are safe, but trapping heat can cause a silent explosion. And once the fire starts, it spreads very quickly. »
