Brits are being warned to check their phone charger cables for signs of damage or risk serious problems.
Whether it's ‘phubbing’ your partner or not cleaning it regularly enough - most of us are guilty of having some pretty bad habits when it comes to our phones.
However, one habit you really ought to ditch is using charger cables that are damaged or worn apart.
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If you’re anything like me, you’re probably getting through more than your fair share of charger cables each year, whether that’s down to losing them, breaking them or lending them to someone at work and never getting it back. I’m naming no names.
But using a damaged cable can be seriously bad news for your phone, and could even cause a fire or give you a nasty electric shock.
A warning from Apple about iPhones reads: “Using damaged cables or chargers, or charging when moisture is present, can cause fire, electric shock, injury, or damage to iPhone or other property.”
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Samsung has a similar warning for its customers, with its website saying: “If you notice any issues such as cracks or exposed wires, immediately stop using the cable.”
So if your charger cable has seen better days then maybe pop one on your Christmas list rather than potentially ruining your phone - or worse.
Apple also warns against charging your phone in the bed with you overnight.
The tech giant said: “Don't cover your phone with anything while it's charging and don't charge the device in bed.
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"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."
Jason Cohen from PC Mag attested to this earlier this year, admitting: "Years ago, I woke up one morning to find my phone underneath my body and burning my bare chest.
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"At some point in the night, I had rolled onto the phone, causing the device to overheat.
"Not only did it burn my body, but it burned itself out and stopped working."
Sharing a bed with your plugged-in phone could also lead to you pulling on the cable causing damage to the wire or the charging port on your phone.
Topics: Technology, Apple, iPhone
Claire Reid