What to do if your smartphone catches fire

Why smartphones ignite

Smartphone explosion or fire occurs due to battery problems. According to statistics, one of 10 million devices with lithium-ion batteries, which are installed in almost all gadgets on the market, are at risk. These batteries are made up of flammable chemical components. But they are smaller and lighter than their safer counterparts.

Manufacturers seal components to prevent them from contacting, equip batteries with an overcharge protection system and a proprietary charger, but smartphones sometimes explode.

The two main reasons are short circuit caused by a defective or damaged battery and overheating of the battery.

There is also a chance of failure due to overcharging.

Lithium ion batteries have a special feature: when one area of the battery does not cool quickly enough, a chain reaction is triggered, due to which the entire unit overheats. In other words, excess heat at one point causes a reaction that only accelerates the widespread rise in temperature. This leads to fire or even explosion.

In the case of the Samsung GALAXY Note 7, which was withdrawn from the market due to the explosion hazard, the problem was a manufacturing defect. Inside the lithium battery there are thin films (they are also positive and negative electrodes), the space between them is filled with electrolyte and a separator is installed that isolates from the closure of the opposite electrodes.

In one batch of Note 7 batteries, the electrode layers were misplaced. The thin body of the smartphone and the heat contributed to their displacement, which caused a short circuit. As a result, overheating and ignition of the electrolyte and / or explosive depressurization.

In another batch, the electrodes were also defective: in some places the insulating layer was too thin or completely absent. Even due to minor deformations, the electrodes were bent, which also led to a short circuit, heating and fire of the battery.

Security measures

Use only the supplied batteries. If you need to replace the battery, do not save: a new phone and apartment renovation will cost more.
Do not leave your smartphone in the sun, or place it on a battery or any other heat source. Especially if the gadget is charging at this time.
If the device overheats abnormally while charging, unplug it immediately.
Do not charge your smartphone by hiding it under a pillow. The case of the device must be well ventilated during charging. It is recommended to charge the smartphone at least 30-50 cm from the head.

Alarms and your actions

The first mandatory rule in all cases: first unplug your smartphone from the power supply by unplugging the power cord. Then proceed according to the situation.

If the battery overheats so that you are unable to hold your smartphone, unplug the charger and remove the battery if possible. If your smartphone has a non-removable battery, the only thing you can do is try to turn off the device and move it to a safer location. For example, if you are at home, let the problematic smartphone be on the tile in the bathroom rather than on the wooden floor by the sofa.

If the case begins to deform or the device emits smoke, first unplug the charging cable. Then you can only try to minimize the damage to the premises in which you are. The smartphone, most likely, cannot be saved.

In the event of smoke or smartphone fire, your task is to preserve your health and minimize damage to property. Consider that the gadget is no longer there, and you are still there.

If your smartphone smokes or catches fire, never inhale the emitted smoke! Cover your airways or hold your breath. For extinguishing, it is best to use a foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguisher. If a fire extinguisher is not at hand, it will do:

a metal saucepan or lid (never use glass or ceramic dishes);
kitchen soda;
earth from a flower pot;
thick bedspread or fabric.

Please note: if an emergency catches you near gas appliances, it is better to try to quickly move your smartphone to another room with a concrete or tiled floor or to the street. But so that other people or animals do not suffer from it.

Firefighters are not advised to flood the smartphone with water, as in some cases this can only aggravate the situation.

By the way, about the firefighters. If there is a fire, you panic or are unable to cope with the fire, immediately call 112.