Silent threats: these are the reasons your phone can explode!

Cases of smartphone explosions are very rare, but nevertheless, you should always consider the risk factors and be on guard. Do you know about simple precautions that will minimize the risk of your mobile device catching fire or exploding?

You probably heard from flight attendants when flying on a plane that it is extremely important to inform them about the excessive heating of smartphones during a flight. Indeed, an explosion of a mobile gadget on board an airplane can lead to very dangerous consequences. But even in ordinary everyday life, it is worth paying attention to the temperature and behavior of your smartphone, because sometimes, although extremely rarely, they catch fire even in ordinary circumstances. However, by practicing a few simple rules, you can easily minimize the risk of your gadget exploding.

In most cases, a smartphone explosion occurs due to damage to its battery. Today, mobile devices use lithium-ion batteries, which provide reasonable reliability, but under certain circumstances, they are not immune to fire and explosion.

Why do smartphones explode?

So what can cause a battery to explode? Various problems and situations can lead to this:

A short circuit during charging or any other external influence on the charging process of the smartphone (for example, using a low-quality charger). As a result of improper charging, inner parts of the battery become very hot, causing a chemical reaction, and the released steam ruptures the battery casing.
Falling and damaging the battery. If you find that the case of your smartphone is swollen or frequently overheats, then you should pay attention to these symptoms and take it in for repair. Deformation or overheating of the battery can be caused by mechanical damage that affects the internal parts of the battery.

How to prevent your smartphone from exploding

Here's what you need to consider to prevent your smartphone from exploding:

Don't leave your phone in hot or cold conditions for long periods of time. Phone batteries are designed to operate between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and if you leave your smartphone in strong sun or extreme cold for an extended period of time, it can cause damage to the internal parts of the device. When overheating, modern phones will warn you of a dangerous level of heating and activate a protective mode, which will turn off some functions and applications, but even in this case, you should not abuse the overheating of your mobile "friend".
Let your phone "breathe". Like any device, your smartphone needs proper ventilation to prevent it from dangerously overheating. This is especially important when charging the device, when the battery and the phone body themselves become much hotter. Charge your smartphone on a hard surface, avoid doing it in bed or covering it with a blanket or putting it under your pillow. In addition, it is recommended not to charge your smartphone in a case, as this may also cause it to overheat.

Use chargers from reliable brands. It's best to use the charger that came with your smartphone, or charge it using a charger from the same manufacturer. For example, if you have a Xiaomi smartphone, it is best to get a charger from this brand, etc. If you need to replace any parts in your phone, use authorized or verified services that use parts from official manufacturers with a guarantee. This will also give your gadget a longer life and reduce the chances of overheating.
Charge your smartphone the right way. Try not to let your phone drain too much and turn off due to lack of charge. Each new switch on with an empty battery becomes stressful for your gadget. Also, do not keep it charging for a long time after the battery is already 100% charged.
Use a quality protective case. We all sometimes drop our smartphone on the floor or on the asphalt outside. Therefore, it is important to have a quality case for your phone. A good protective case should have sufficient openings in areas where the case requires air access, and should also be sure to protect the edges of the case that would receive impact if it were accidentally dropped on the floor. A strong impact may not only damage the case or screen, but also break internal parts, which may cause a fire or explosion.

How to check if a phone battery has been damaged by water

Suppose you bought a used phone and want to check whether it has been in water and whether it has been significantly damaged. There is such a way. Most phone battery manufacturers include a special sticker on the battery, the color of which will give you this information. Most often this is a small round white sticker next to the battery terminals - it is usually white or has a splash of pink or purple in it. When this sticker is in the water for more than a minute - and this time is critical for the safety of the battery - it becomes covered in a solid purple or pink color. It is better not to use such a battery.