Electronic Charging Device Fire Prevention Tips Shared by Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue

You may not think of electronic charging devices as being a threat for fires, they can be. Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue have share safety tips.

There are several causes of fires concerning electronic devices include, but are not limited to, overcharging of devices, improper placement, improper maintenance, mechanical malfunctions and carelessness by user of the device.

Check out these tips:

• Always place the device on a hard surface before charging. This will allow adequate ventilations.
• Avoid placing the device on a soft surface, such as a bed or sofa. Soft materials can block airflow vents and cause the device to overheat.
• Avoid using the device while charging. This will reduce the chances of being burned if the device were to catch fire or explode.
• Charge your device in small bursts, rather than extended periods of time.
• Always shut down the device before placing in carrying bags.
• Keep the vents, on a laptop or other similar device, clear of lint and debris and use a cooling device if possible.
• Replace any piece of the device that does not work properly.
• Power cords and chargers should be inspected by the user on a regular basis for excessive wear because damaged cords may emit electrical sparks that can start a fire, so damaged or frayed cords should be discarded immediately.
• Always unplug chargers that are not in use; they consume electricity even when the device is not charging