The daily charging of smartphones, laptops, and other household appliances is one of the most common, yet often overlooked, causes of fire and electric shock in the home.

The Most Common Hazards:

Cheap, Uncertified Chargers: Due to inadequate protection circuits (overvoltage, overcurrent, and overheating protection), inferior third-party chargers can easily cause short circuits and catch fire.

Overheating from Covering: Placing the charger and your smartphone on the bed, under a pillow, or on a carpet prevents sufficient ventilation. The resulting heat can quickly ignite flammable fabrics.

Damaged Cables and Defective Plugs: Damaged insulation or broken copper wires can lead to sparks, short circuits, or electric shocks.

Charger in Plug: The transformer of an unused charger is constantly live. This not only leads to gradual wear and tear but can also cause a fire in the event of an overvoltage.

Basic rules for safe use:

Hard, ventilated surface: Always charge the device on a solid surface (e.g., a table), never on bedding, a sofa, or clothing.

Only use certified devices: Look for the CE mark or the manufacturer’s original certificates and avoid suspiciously cheap chargers.

Disconnect after use: Always disconnect the charger from the mains when charging or leaving the house.

Replace damaged cables: A damaged cable wrapped with electrical tape is dangerous – damaged accessories should be replaced immediately.