It is the Montreal firefighters who are sounding the alarm on this widespread, but potentially dangerous, habit. Charging your phone while you sleep represents a danger that should not be overlooked: the risk of seeing it catch fire. This warning comes after a spectacular fire at the Port of Montreal which took place last month. Some 15,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries (the equivalent of 200 Tesla) caused a gigantic blaze requiring the evacuation of around a hundred people.
A threat that smolders under the pillow
The scenario is familiar: before sleeping, you plug in your phone to find it charged when you wake up. A routine that can expose you to the risk of seeing your phone’s battery go up in smoke. In the event of overheating, short circuiting, or physical damage, the battery can experience a phenomenon called “thermal runaway.” The temperature increases very quickly, which accelerates chemical reactions and can cause uncontrollable combustion.
Lithium, an alkali metal in these batteries, is very reactive and can ignite easily when exposed to air or moisture. Other components in the battery, such as the electrolyte, can also help sustain the flames. Additionally, our smartphone batteries are designed to store a large amount of energy in a very small volume. This high energy density is double-edged: it makes the batteries efficient, but also increases the risks in the event of a problem.
These fires are, moreover, a little unusual to control, since they resist traditional extinguishing methods and release toxic fumes. No need to draw a picture to imagine that it is frankly not desirable if it happens during the night.
Actions that save
A few simple, but effective, measures can be put in place to reduce the risks. Exclusive use of original chargers and regular replacement of used batteries is your first line of defense. It is also recommended to favor hard surfaces for recharging (so no phone charging under the pillow) and equip yourself with functional smoke detectors or fire alarms. The proliferation of devices equipped with lithium-ion batteries in our homes makes these precautions all the more necessary.
During the day, watch your phone too : If your device heats up abnormally during charging, interrupt the operation immediately. Ideally, it is also recommended to turn off your device or put it in airplane mode while charging to avoid unnecessary overheating. Last tip: unplug it when fully charged. An overcharged battery can be unstable and increase the risk of short circuit or explosion, especially if the device is damaged or of poor quality.
- Montreal firefighters are warning of the fire risks linked to nighttime charging of smartphones equipped with lithium-ion batteries.
- To reduce these risks, use original chargers, replace old batteries, and avoid charging your phone on soft surfaces.
- Monitor your phone while it’s charging, turn it off or put it in airplane mode, and unplug it as soon as it’s fully charged.
