Apple issues warning for people who leave iPhones charging while they sleep

Apple has issued a warning for people who leave their iPhones on charge while they sleep.

Putting your phone on charge while you drift off into a deep and restful slumber, as you and your device recharge your batteries for the day, might not be the wisest and safest idea.

As convenient as it is, charging your device while you’re in a state of unconsciousness could lead to serious consequences.

Although it’s nice to wake up with a full battery, Apple has warned of the risks of fire and injury.

The risk becomes particularly high if your iPhone is covered and not ventilated properly, as lithium-ion batteries are reactive. This could lead it to overheat which can cause damage to your phone, and in some cases, could even cause it to start a fire.

On the Apple website, in the ‘Import safety information for iPhone’ memo, it warns users to ‘avoid prolonged skin contact with the charging cable and connector when the charging cable is connected to a power source because it may cause discomfort or injury’.

For example, Apple recommends not ‘sleeping or sitting on the charging cable or connector’ while it is in use.

In regards to prolonged heat exposure Apple warns its users that sustained contact for long periods of time may cause ‘discomfort or injury’.

The Memo advises: “Use common sense to avoid situations where your skin is in contact with a device, its power adapter, or a wireless charger when it’s operating or connected to a power source for long periods of time.

“For example, don’t sleep on a device, power adapter, or wireless charger, or place them under a blanket, pillow, or your body, when it’s connected to a power source.

“Keep your iPhone, the power adapter, and any wireless charger in a well-ventilated area when in use or charging. Take special care if you have a physical condition that affects your ability to detect heat against the body.”

This safety advice should be followed for all smartphone users and not just those with an iPhone.

Although it sounds far too obvious, sitting with your iPhone in your back pocket or falling asleep on it are all too common.

Instead, you can charge your phone before you go to bed and maybe carry a power bank or charger around with you to keep your battery topped up if it requires it throughout the day.

Kent Fire and Rescue offer safety advice on TikTok. In a post they said: “We get a lot of questions here at Kent Fire Rescue about why you shouldn’t charge phones overnight. So here are the reasons why.

“Number one: you can’t smell anything when you’re asleep, so if it starts to burn, the fire won’t wake you up. Number two: it only takes three breaths, right, to knock you unconscious.

“Number three: lots of people have cheap or faulty phone chargers, or even genuine ones have been known to start fires.

“If you’re able to, we advise you to charge your phone when you’re there and awake from a fire service point of view. It’s much safer.”