Email: Don't Answer Cell Phone While It's Charging!
Netlore Archive: Forwarded email alert claims a young man was killed (electrocuted) when he answered a cell phone that was plugged in to charge the battery.
Description: Viral rumor
Circulating since: Aug. 2004
Status: Partly true / Overblown (see details below)
Example #1:
Email contributed by Lori M., Sep. 14, 2005:
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Subject: Cell phone charging VERY IMPORTANT..PLEASE READ Never, ever answer a cell phone while it is being CHARGED!! A few days ago, a person was recharging his cell phone at home. Just at that time a call came and he answered it with the instrument still connected to the outlet. After a few seconds electricity flowed into the cell phone unrestrained and the young man was thrown to the ground with a heavy thud. His parents rushed to the room only to find him unconscious, with a weak heartbeat and burnt fingers. He was rushed to the nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Cell phones are a very useful modern invention. However, we must be aware that it can also be an instrument of death. Never use the cell phone while it is hooked to the electrical outlet! |
Example #2:
Email contributed by Raja, Aug. 22, 2005:
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Subject: Don't use your cell phone while charging Dear All, After a few seconds electricity flowed into the cellphone unrestrained and the young man was thrown to the ground with a heavy thud. His parents rushed to the room only to find him unconscious, with weak heartbeats and burnt fingers. He was rushed to the nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Cellphone is a very useful modern invention. However, we must be aware that it can also be an instrument of death. Never use the cellphone while it is hooked to the mains! This is my humble plea. Sincerely, Dr. D. Suresh Kumar R&D |
Analysis: I've rated this warning "overblown" because it stems from a single 2004 news report about an Indian man who was fatally electrocuted while answering a cell phone that was plugged in for charging.
Assuming the report was accurate, it's fair to conclude that either the phone or the charger was defective, given that 1) I could find no other reports of people being electrocuted while using a charging cell phone, 2) under normal circumstances the current flowing into a charging cell phone ought not to be strong enough to kill anyone, and 3) neither manufacturers nor consumer agencies warn customers against using mobile phones while they are being charged.
Under the circumstances, therefore, it would seem excessive to label the ubiquitous device "an instrument of death."
Which is not to say no one has ever been injured by a cell phone. Over the past few years there have been numerous reports of cell phones catching fire or "exploding," causing injury to their owners. Most of these incidents were blamed on the use of unauthorized and/or faulty batteries.
Safety Precautions
To prevent such mishaps, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recommended safety precautions which include the following:
- Don't use incompatible/unauthorized cell phone batteries and chargers.
- Don't tamper with the battery or allow it to be punctured, crushed, or come into contact with metal objects outside the phone.
- Avoid damaging the phone by dropping it, keeping it where it can become overheated, or allowing it to get wet.
- Follow manufacturers' instructions for battery usage, storage, and recharging.
See news articles linked below for more information on cell phone safety.
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Sources and further reading:
Man Electrocuted While Using Cell Phone
New Indian Express, 10 August 2004 (via blog posting)Risk of Cell Phone Explosions Growing
ConsumerAffairs.com, 26 September 2004Teen Burned When Cell Phone Catches Fire
ConsumerAffairs.com, 5 July 2004Feds Warn of Cell Phone Battery Hazards
ConsumerAffairs.com, 15 May 2005
Last updated: 10/25/05
