West Sussex County Council in England has issued advice regarding staying safer when smoking e-cigarettes. We decided to share this information, following a number of alarming incidents involving these battery-powered devices.
The Batteries Powering E-Cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes use the energy in their lithium-ion batteries to heat a liquid into a vapor, that their users inhale. When the user has consumed all the energy, they have to recharge the battery, and that’s where the problem may begin.
If the user does not have the original charger with them (or lost it) they may be tempted to use a pirate one. If they do so they may no longer be staying safer, when smoking e-cigarettes in terms of the manufacturer’s warranty:
- The rogue battery charger may not have instructions.
- The lithium-ion battery may overheat while charging.
- The charger plug may not meet the e-cigarette specification.
- The wiring in the charger may be substandard.
- The user may receive an electric shock.
Any of these defects could cause the lithium-ion battery in the e-cigarette to overheat, and potentially catch fire.
Staying Safer Now You Know the Risks
Any of these risks may compromise the user’s safety while smoking e-cigarettes. Here are the tips that West Sussex County Council recommends:
- Purchase e-cigarettes from reputable suppliers you trust.
- Follow the instructions which are there for good reason.
- Only use the charger that came with your e-cigarette.
- Never leave an e-cigarette battery alone while you are charging it.
- Unplug the charger as soon as the battery is charged.
The West Sussex County Council closes with the following recommendation: Don’t over tighten a battery on to the charger. Plug the charger in first, then gently screw the lithium-ion battery in until the light on the charger flashes. The battery is now in position and connected.
More Information
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