Welcome to our weekly “Let’s Talk About” blog series. This week, we’re going to focus on an everyday habit that many of us engage in – charging our smartphones, laptops, and other devices at night. There are some serious risks associated with this common practice, you may be surprised to learn.
But let’s start at the beginning:
The Heartbeat of Our Devices: Lithium-Ion Batteries
There is no doubt that lithium-ion batteries are technological marvels that have revolutionized our daily lives. Their high energy density has made it possible to make our devices smaller and more powerful. These powerful batteries can be found in everything from smartphones and laptops to e-bikes and electric cars. They have become the heart of our technology because of their ability to store large amounts of energy in a small space. But these invisible power plants are not without risk. If the battery overheats, the temperature inside the battery can rise to as high as 1,000 degrees Celsius. Such high temperatures can cause the battery to expand and even ignite. Yes, you heard that right – your cell phone or laptop could literally burst into flames.
The lurking danger in the bedroom
Using electronic devices at night, whether for charging or operation, poses risks that we are often unaware of while we sleep. You may be wondering how this could happen.
The protective cover of the battery can be damaged by carelessness, such as dropping the smartphone on the floor or mishandling the laptop. This can lead to internal short circuits, which in turn can lead to excessive heat generation.
Another important factor is the ambient temperature in the bedroom. Batteries can be further heated and degraded by using electronic devices in excessive heat or near heat sources, such as a heater. The risk of dangerous overheating can increase significantly if the ambient temperature is too high.
A Dangerous Accomplice: The Charger
But it’s not just the battery itself that should be in the spotlight. The chargers and cables we use are just as culpable in many cases. To save money or for convenience, many of us resort to cheaper alternatives or use cables that are already worn or damaged. This may seem harmless, but choosing to do this can prove costly. Low quality chargers can charge batteries unevenly, resulting in an uneven distribution of charge within the cells. This increases the risk of overcharging individual cells, which in turn can lead to dangerous overheating and, in the worst case scenario, a fire in the battery.
It only takes 3 breaths
Basically, most fires are first detected by our sense of smell. However, it is important to remember that when your nose is asleep, it does not detect anything. As a result, the release of hazardous chemicals and gases from everyday materials such as plastics and textiles may not be detected in time. Just three breaths of this fire smoke can cause serious health problems and even death. It is disturbing to know that 70 percent of all fire victims die at night in their own homes, unaware of the deadly dangers posed by burning smoke. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of how quickly things can get dangerous in the event of a fire. It’s also important to take precautions to protect yourself and others from the dangers of fire.
The health of your battery
Beyond safety, there’s another reason to reconsider night charging: your battery’s health. Imagine charging your battery to 100%. After a while, it will drop to 99%, even if you keep charging it. Then you charge it back up to 100%. This will have a long-term effect on the performance of your battery.
Modern original devices often have features that help protect the battery. For example, your device can learn when you usually wake up. It will charge the battery to 100% just before you wake up. To extend battery life, there are also features that limit charging to 80 or 85%.
There is also good news
But don’t worry, there’s good news too! Genuine products are specially engineered for compatibility and security. You are making a clear commitment to your safety and the safety of your loved ones by investing in quality chargers and cables and checking them regularly. It may seem like a small investment, but it definitely pays off when it comes to helping you stay protected.
The silent danger in the office
Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones are indispensable tools for employees in a modern office environment. During the work day, these devices are used intensively for e-mail processing, document creation and customer communication. After work, employees leave the office and often leave their electronic devices behind.
This is where the overnight charging of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries comes into play. Many employees choose to charge their devices overnight so that they will be ready to go again the next day. Without considering the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries, they plug their laptops or smartphones into chargers.
Unfortunately, chargers and cables often go unchecked, and employees may even use inferior or unauthorized chargers, which can lead to mishandling. Once employees leave the office, overcharging, battery damage or other malfunctions can occur unnoticed.
Imagine an employee who uses an inferior charger to charge his or her laptop overnight. While he sleeps at home, the battery in the laptop overheats, eventually causing a dangerous battery fire. Since there is no one in the office to notice the fire in time, the fire spreads out of control and not only causes damage to property, but also poses a serious threat to the entire business.
Whether in a hair salon, on a construction site, in a carpentry shop, at a logistics company or in a bakery, such incidents can happen with lithium-ion batteries. It is therefore essential to take the potential dangers seriously and to take appropriate safety measures to minimize potential risks.
For this reason, companies should establish clear guidelines for the handling of lithium-ion batteries. Workers should be informed about using good quality chargers and cables and charging batteries correctly to avoid overcharging. It is also important that employees do not leave their electronic devices unattended overnight and keep an eye on them during the charging process.
Companies can minimize the risk of battery fires and other incidents caused by lithium-ion batteries by educating employees and implementing safety measures. The seemingly invisible dangers posed by Li-ion batteries should not be underestimated, and companies should not let up in their efforts to protect and prevent.
10-point safety checklist for handling lithium-ion batteries:
- Use only original chargers and accessories for your devices with lithium-ion batteries.
- Protect your devices from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures to avoid possible overheating.
- Be aware of unusual heat generation or behavior of your devices – in case of problems, act immediately and check the battery.
- To minimize potential hazards, do not charge your lithium-ion battery products overnight or unattended.
- When using laptops, make sure your work surface is adequately ventilated to prevent overheating.
- Store your equipment and lithium-ion batteries in a cool, dry place to prolong their life.
- Use only chargers and batteries specifically designed for your lithium-ion battery device.
- Keep your lithium-ion batteries away from water and moisture to prevent short circuits.
- Do not use damaged Li-ion batteries and dispose of them properly according to local regulations.
- Be aware of the specific guidelines and safety regulations for your working environment when handling lithium-ion batteries.
Responsible handling for safe energy
By powering our devices and giving us more freedom and flexibility, lithium-ion batteries have undoubtedly enriched our lives. But we should not ignore the potential dangers as we reap the benefits of this technology.
The real threat of night-time device charging should not be underestimated. Being aware of the risks and taking proactive steps to ensure our safety is important as a responsible user. We can improve both our personal safety and the performance of our devices by making small changes to our habits.
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See you next time,
stay safe, stay informed.
Your team from Instructo Consulting GmbH
