If you want to charge your phone next to your bed, where is the safest place?

(Dan Tri) - Charging your phone on the bed, next to your pillow or placing the device under the blanket can make it difficult for heat to escape.

Many people have the habit of using their phone before going to bed, then plugging in the charger and placing the device right on the mattress, next to the pillow or at the head of the bed.

This seemingly convenient habit can be potentially dangerous if something goes wrong with your phone, battery, cord, or charger.

Recently, a fire broke out in the 12th floor apartment building at 90 Nguyen Tuan, Thanh Xuan ward (Hanoi). According to initial information from authorities, the cause is related to an electrical short circuit at the phone charging socket.

The incident did not cause any human damage, but some items in the bedroom such as blankets and mattresses were burned.

The incident once again raises the issue of how to charge and place the phone in the bedroom, especially at night.

Do not place a charging phone on blankets, pillows, or mattresses

According to its iPhone safety guidelines, Apple requires users to keep the phone, power adapter, and wireless charger in a well-ventilated area during charging.

The company specifically warns not to sleep on the phone, power adapter or wireless charger and not to place these devices under blankets, pillows or on the body while connected to the power source.

Instead of leaving your phone on the bed, leave it on the nightstand (Photo: GPT).

During charging, the phone and charger may generate heat. If the device is placed on soft surfaces such as blankets, sheets, pillows or cushions, heat escape may be limited.

Heat build-up over a long period of time not only affects battery life, but also increases the risk of problems if the battery, wires or charger have problems.

Paul Shaw, Head of Fire Investigation at the Staffordshire Fire Service (UK), once warned in The Guardian about the dangers of charging devices in bed.

Blankets, sheets and mattresses often contain flammable materials, so an electrical incident occurring here can cause the fire to quickly spread to surrounding items.

The risk is even more significant when the user is sleeping.

Kent Fire Department (UK) warns that people cannot rely on their sense of smell to detect fires while sleeping. Smoke from a fire can cause people in the room to suffocate before they know the danger.

This is also the reason why fire prevention agencies recommend that people install well-functioning smoke detectors in their homes, instead of relying on the smell of burning to wake up.

In addition, damaged, folded charging cords or unsecured connectors can also increase the risk of electrical problems.

Where should I place my charging phone?

One of the principles given by fire prevention agencies and manufacturers is to place charging devices in a well-ventilated place.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (UK) recommends that devices using lithium-ion batteries should be charged on a flat, hard and stable surface, rather than on a bed or sofa.

Therefore, if you need to charge your phone in the bedroom, you can place it on a table or bedside shelf with a hard, well-ventilated surface. The charging area should also be kept away from blankets, clothing, curtains, paper and flammable materials.

Another option is to arrange a separate charging area outside the bedroom. This method not only limits the placement of charging devices near blankets and mattresses, but also helps users reduce the habit of using the phone right before bed.

Besides the charging location, the condition of the charger and wires also need attention.

Users should not continue to use frayed or broken wires, deformed plugs or chargers that show signs of damage or overheating. Accessories of unknown origin that do not meet safety standards also pose a higher risk.

If the phone becomes unusually hot while charging, users should disconnect the power and check the device instead of continuing to use it.

Fire authorities also recommend not covering phones or chargers while they are in use and being cautious about charging devices that use lithium-ion batteries while you sleep.

For iPhone, the Optimized Battery Charging feature can reduce the time the device remains fully charged, thereby limiting battery aging. However, this feature does not replace safety guidelines when choosing a charging location.