Updated at 8.35pm
A FIRE BROKE out in a Dublin apartment last night when a device which was charging burst into flames.
The device was on the duvet in the bedroom and caused extensive damage to the Islandbridge apartment.
Tweeting out photos, Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) gave a stern warning to people to be careful about where they leave their charging phones, laptops and tablets.
“Bed and gadgets don’t mix,” it warned.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) are advising the public to check that their electrical devices carry the CE mark, meaning they comply with safety standards.
Director of corporate services Pat Bracken said:
Although the device may be manufactured to the correct safety standards, it can still become very dangerous, very quickly, if not used in the appropriate environment.
Electrical products like hair straighteners, hairdryers, laptops and phone chargers can be incredibly dangerous if left on beds or sofas. Although duvets and quilts often undergo flammability tests, accidents like this can still occur.
It’s not the first time the DFB issued warnings to people about the safety of leaving charging devices unattended.
Last year, it released photos of what can happen when a phone charger overheats.
DFB added that plug-in air fresheners also have to be treated carefully.
Originally published 10.51am
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