As of October 7th， mobile phones have become indispensable tools for everyone. Charging is a daily necessity for most people， yet many adopt charging practices that pose potential safety risks.
CCTV News， through its official Weibo account， recently published a post to educate the public on correct mobile phone charging methods.
One crucial piece of advice is to avoid leaving chargers plugged in when not in use.
A charger acts as a device that converts high-voltage electricity to low-voltage direct current. When plugged into an electrical outlet， even if no phone is connected， the charger remains in a standby or active state.
Continuously leaving a charger plugged into an extension cord or outlet not only contributes to unnecessary energy consumption but also generates continuous heat. This sustained heat can accelerate the aging process of electronic components and materials， increasing the risk of short circuits or high-voltage breakdowns， thereby posing a fire hazard.
Another important recommendation is to avoid charging your phone overnight.
Many users worry about potential explosion risks from overcharging their mobile phones. However， it’s important to note that most certified chargers are equipped with safety protection circuits designed to prevent overcharging. Once the battery reaches its full capacity， these circuits typically cease charging or reduce the charging current to a trickle to maintain the charge.
Modern smartphones predominantly utilize lithium-ion batteries. These batteries incorporate internal mechanisms to automatically disconnect the circuit in cases of overcharging and over-discharging. If internal pressure becomes excessively high， a pressure relief valve is designed to release excess pressure. Similarly， if the battery temperature rises significantly， a thermal fuse can trigger， deactivating the electrochemical reactions.
While the risk of explosion from simple overcharging might be mitigated by these safety features， keeping a lithium-ion battery consistently at a 100% charge state can accelerate the degradation of its capacity over time. This is because prolonged high voltage puts stress on the battery’s internal chemistry.
However， a critical point remains: if the charger’s protection mechanism malfunctions， or if the battery itself has a manufacturing defect that goes undetected， the risk of overheating， fire， or even explosion can still exist.
Fortunately， contemporary smartphones often feature sophisticated power management systems. These systems can learn user charging habits and intelligently delay the final charging stage until just before the user typically wakes up， ensuring the phone reaches full charge when needed without prolonged periods at 100%. Advanced devices may also offer manual control over charging， allowing users to set a maximum charge limit， thus preventing the battery from ever reaching 100%. Both these functionalities are instrumental in extending battery lifespan.
Here are some practical tips to prevent charging-related dangers for your mobile phone:
– Limit prolonged charging sessions: Avoid leaving your phone to charge overnight and disconnect it promptly if you notice it overheating during charging. To prevent charger aging and potential fire hazards， it is advisable to unplug chargers from the outlet when not in use.
– Use original or certified batteries and chargers: Opt for reputable， non-inferior quality batteries. Avoid mixing chargers from different phone models， as incompatible chargers can damage the battery and lead to potential hazards.
– Refrain from using your phone extensively while it’s charging: Charging generatesheat， and activities like gaming or prolonged calls can significantly increase the phone’s temperature， raising the risk of accidents.
– Keep your phone away from hot environments: High temperatures can cause the battery to overheat， potentially leading to dangerous situations. Always charge and place your phone in cool， well-ventilated areas， avoiding direct sunlight or proximity to heat sources.
– Protect your phone from moisture and water: Batteries can be susceptible to short circuits when exposed to water. Before charging， inspect both the battery and the charger for any signs of moisture or water damage.
– Connect the power source before the phone: The correct sequence for charging is to first plug the charger into the electrical outlet and then connect the data cable to your phone.
– Avoid charging in extreme temperatures: Most mobile phones use lithium-ion batteries， which perform optimally within moderate temperature ranges. Very low temperatures can slow down the charging process due to battery protection mechanisms， while high temperatures can destabilize the battery leading to performance degradation and safety concerns.
– Be cautious about charging near your pillow: Many individuals charge their phones near their beds for convenience and immediate access. However， if a short circuit were to occur in such a location， the proximity to flammable materials like pillows could exacerbate the danger， potentially leading to a more severe fire.
