Safety flash

[jimmypa]

As a safety guy I recieve random emails about safety incidents and stuff like that. Just got this email and thought I would share it with you guys. I didn't know this could happen and I had been leaving my chargers plugged into my vehicles for quite some time now. This is what the email read:

["As some of you may know, we had a pretty scary incident recently. Attached are pictures of what remains of our 2007 Suburban. We are all okay but I wanted to warn everyone not to make the same mistake I did. This fire resulted from leaving an iPhone charger/docking station plugged into the car outlet. It overheated and started a fire, while parked in our garage. PLEASE unplug anything you have in your car outlets once you turn off your car!

We were VERY fortunate that we found the fire, at 11pm, before going to bed and before it spread to the house. None of our garage heat detectors or house fire alarms went off (another item to take care of on my “to do” list). Feel free to pass this along to anyone you want. Better safe than sorry."

]

Pretty scary stuff! If you guys want I will continue to post any safety notices I come across that would be relevant to everyone.

 

[earnold25]

so why didn't the fuse prevent this from happening?

 

[jimmypa]

not sure this was all that was in the email, but maybe the actual unit that was plugged into the outlet was the thing that overheated, caught fire, and then caught the car. just a guess though

 

[NCost]

ipod devices are notorious for overheating, not sure why, but this isn't a random case.

 

[Clint]

Wait, you mean my dash is not supposed to look like that?

Seriously, thanks for the warning. I do notice that the plug (made by Apple) that charges the iPad/iPhone from the wall outlet gets really hot after a while....Are those safe?

 

[iCraig]

ipod devices are notorious for overheating, not sure why, but this isn't a random case.

I'd bet that most of them are unauthorized third party products from not so reputable manufacturers.

 

[iCraig]

Wait, you mean my dash is not supposed to look like that?

Seriously, thanks for the warning. I do notice that the plug (made by Apple) that charges the iPad/iPhone from the wall outlet gets really hot after a while....Are those safe?

I've never had an issue with any of mine, though, it might not be a bad idea to ask AppleCare/the apple store about it. They may offer to replace it.

 

[Clint]

I've never had an issue with any of mine, though, it might not be a bad idea to ask AppleCare/the apple store about it. They may offer to replace it.

Good idea
....I guess I just don't know what "too hot" is. Obviously if it's melting then there's an issue!! Apple is awesome with their customer service, though.

 

[mcroom]

Thanks for sharing such a strong message to keep us safe. Fuses will not blow from a heat stand point; only an amperage (current) flow rate higher than the rating of the fuse. Melted wiring (and I suppose apparatuses) is most always a result of loose connections. Take care every one and stay safe.