Your Phone, Laptops, and Other Devices Are Ticking Bombs in This Extreme Heat - Here's How to Prevent Any Fire

With temperatures soaring, your electronic devices are at risk of overheating and potential fire hazards. In this video, we provide essential tips and techniques to safeguard your phone, laptops, and other gadgets from the dangers of extreme heat. From proper ventilation to regular maintenance, learn practical strategies to prevent device-related fires and ensure the safety of your electronic investments. Stay protected and informed with our expert advice on managing heat-related risks in the digital age.

Technology Jun 1, 2024 0 26 Add to Reading List

Your Phone, Laptops, and Other Devices Are Ticking Bombs in This Extreme Heat - Here's How to Prevent Any Fire

Preventing Fires in Hot Weather: Protect Your Devices

Your mobile phones, laptops, and other gadgets pose a risk of catching fire during hot weather. Here's how to keep them safe.

With temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in northern India, electronic gadgets are highly susceptible to overheating and fires. Here's how you can prevent and handle fire incidents to ensure safety.

During the summer, electronic devices face a heightened risk of overheating and potentially catching fire. This overheating often occurs due to inadequate ventilation and prolonged usage. To prevent overheating, it's advisable to avoid using electronic devices for extended periods. Recently, there have been numerous reports of mobile phones catching fire due to overheating, as well as incidents of air conditioners causing fires and destroying entire flats in Noida society. With temperatures surpassing 50 degrees Celsius in many parts of northern India, the summer heat poses a threat not only to humans but also to our electronic gadgets.

Electronic devices, including smartphones, laptops, TVs, and air conditioners, can overheat in extreme heat, leading to fires. This happens because these devices generate heat during operation, and when the ambient temperature is high, their cooling mechanisms struggle to dissipate the heat effectively, potentially causing damage to internal components and fires.

Airlines restrict carrying electronics and power banks in checked baggage and require them to be in cabin baggage due to the risk of fire. If stored in checked luggage, the devices can catch fire because of pressure or temperature changes. In extreme heat, high air temperatures can cause the battery and components inside gadgets to heat up and potentially catch fire.

If you use your smartphone or laptop indoors around noon, you may notice they become hot even when not powered on. This is due to the battery inside them.

Several factors contribute to devices overheating:

Inadequate ventilation: Laptops and TVs have vents designed to release heat. Blocking these vents or placing devices in confined spaces prevents proper airflow.
Continuous usage: Extended usage without breaks, especially for activities like gaming or video editing, increases device temperature.
High ambient temperature: External high temperatures make it difficult for devices to cool down, especially if exposed to direct sunlight or left in a hot car.
Dust: Accumulated dust in devices, malfunctioning fans, or degraded thermal paste can affect cooling systems.

To cool down overheating devices and prevent fires, follow these steps:

Stop using the device: If you suspect overheating, turn off the device, unplug it, and let it rest to stop further heat generation.
Close unnecessary applications and reduce screen brightness: Minimize heat generation by closing apps and lowering screen brightness. On smartphones, switch to airplane mode.
Place the device in a shaded, cool area: Remove the case for mobile devices to aid heat dissipation. For laptops, place them upside down to allow airflow to the fan.
Use cooling aids: Consider using a cooling pad with built-in fans for laptops or external fans for larger devices like TVs or gaming consoles to provide additional airflow.
If your device catches fire, follow these safety tips:
- Unplug the device: If it's safe, disconnect the device from the power source. For larger appliances, turn off the main power supply.
- Use a suitable fire extinguisher: If the fire is small and manageable, use a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires. Avoid using water, as it can conduct electricity and worsen the situation.
- Evacuate and call for help: If the fire spreads or you can't control it, evacuate the area immediately and call emergency services.
- Do not reuse the device: After a fire, the device is likely severely damaged. Do not attempt to reuse it, as it may pose further risks.