What You Need To Know About Exploding Laptops And Smartphones

Lithium-ion batteries found in certain cell phones and laptops may cause fires – triggering nationwide recalls.

Most recently, HP expanded a recall of laptop batteries for notebooks under its brand – and others – due to potential burn and fire dangers.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission https://www.cpsc.gov/
HP will recall an additional 101,000 batteries for safety reasons. Last June, HP had recalled 41,000 batteries. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/HP-Expands-Recall-of-Batteries-for-HP-and-Compaq-Notebook-Computers

The recall involves lithium-ion batteries found in HP notebooks shipped between March 2013 and October of last year. The batteries work with laptop computers including HP, Compaq, HP ProBook, HP ENVY, Compaq Presario, and HP Pavilion. Other devices carrying lithium-ion batteries — most notably Samsung, which discontinued sales of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone because the batteries could overheat and potentially catch fire or explode — have experienced similar issues with overheating. http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/01/25/hp-expands-recall-laptop-batteries/97042680/

Dramatic new video shows a laptop exploding four times – the suspected cause is the lithium-ion battery. http://www.today.com/money/laptop-explosions-caught-video-spur-new-concerns-about-batteries-t107809

According to Consumer Reports, Lithium-ion batteries have been making this kind of news for years, causing fires in hoverboards, in other phones, and even in the electrical system of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner jumbo jet. Lithium batteries, the magazine reports, typically explode due to a manufacturing defect. But the underlying issue is that Li-ion batteries contain lots of energy in a very compact package. http://www.consumerreports.org/safety-recalls/why-lithium-ion-batteries-still-explode-and-whats-being-done-to-fix-the-problem/

Whatever type of cell phone or laptop you use, take the necessary safety precautions. The National Fire Protection Association offers the following tips:
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
Only use the battery that is designed for the device.
Put batteries in the device the right way.
Only use the charging cord that came with the device.
Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch.
Keep batteries at room temperature.
Do not place batteries in direct sunlight or keep them in hot vehicles.
Store batteries away from anything that can catch fire.

http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/resources/safety-tip-sheets