Smartphones have somewhat become an obsession and some people can hardly stay away from their handsets. However, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been on the spot over the battery of its devices whereby people have often been worried about the draining out of their batteries.
Nonetheless, the obsession is turning to be a misery following the electrocution of a man. Richard Bull of London is reported to have been charging his iPhone when inside the tub and the electric shock he received occasioned his death. The 32-year-old sustained severe burns on this chest, arm, and hands according to medical experts. His wife says one may have thought that someone had attacked him.
Apple asked to take steps to help prevent further such incidents
Apparently, Dr. Sean Cummings, the coroner examining the case ruled the death was accidental. He further stated that Smartphones can be as risky as a hairdryer in a bathroom even though more often than not, their users take them for being harmless devices
Nonetheless, he did promise to contact the iPhone makers even as he touted that Apple’s devices should carry warnings that would guide their users to avert such incidents. Users should also take the time to go through the manual that comes with their devices.
But the same can happen with any electronic gadget
Everyone must understand that the risk is not only from the iPhone but any appliance attached to the mains electricity circuit.
Speaking to BBC, Sheila Merrill of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said, “Electricity and water don’t mix, but particularly with phones, people don’t … always think about it. It’s not advisable to use them while they’re plugged in, particularly in a bathroom situation.”
Sadly people tend to ignore or hurryingly read the warnings. Thus they remain vulnerable to such occurrences. Apparently, it is not the first time that an iPhone is blowing up while charging, a situation that has raised concern over the safety of Apple’s devices. Meanwhile, Apple’s stock was trading at $ 139.84 a decline of $1.62 or 1.15%.
