Buying a mobile phone or tablet
- Whichever you choose, buy your mobile phone or tablet from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as it may not have passed all the necessary safety checks.
- Beware buying substandard or counterfeit chargers for your device as there are many dangerous chargers available.
- Look for a manufacturer's name, a model number, and a UKCA or CE mark but don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers.
- There should be at least 9.5 mm between the live and neutral pins and the edge of the plug.
- Register your mobile phone or tablet so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered.
Using and charging a phone or tablet safely
- Keep mobile phones and tablets away from heat sources and liquids, especially direct sunlight, humidity, and water.
- It is dangerous to use devices while bathing or showering unless suitably IP rated. You should never use a device in the bath or shower whilst it is charging and connected to a socket-outlet.
- Exposing a phone or tablet to extreme temperatures can be dangerous. Don’t leave it in a parked car where it could get cold in winter or hot in summer.
- Most phones and tablets use lithium-ion batteries that naturally get warm during charging. But if they are too hot to handle, stop using it, unplug from the charger (if it’s charging), and seek advice from the manufacturer.
- Pack and handle your device carefully when on the move. Damaged batteries (dropped, crushed, or punctured) can become volatile and shouldn’t be used.
- Regularly inspect cables for fraying, broken casing, or exposed wires, and check the charger plug for scorch marks or loose pins.
- Most mobile phones and tablets are charged via a USB-type cable, and charger- a direct plug-in device with standard plug pins, that converts the UK mains voltage to a level suitable for your device. Only use a compatible USB charger from a reputable source as there are many substandard, dangerous chargers available.
- Supervise children if they are charging their own devices.
- If you need additional or replacement chargers, go back to the original manufacturer or a reputable retailer as counterfeit and substandard chargers often fail to meet safety standards.
- Don’t charge devices under pillows or on soft furnishings such as sofas and beds as this traps heat and can start a fire. Charging on a hard, stable, flat surface allows heat to dissipate.
- Don’t cover the phone, tablet, or charger while it is plugged in. It’s recommended not to leave devices charging while sleeping or unattended to avoid the risk of overcharging and overheating.
- Once the battery is full unplug the charger.
- While charging, if you notice any odd smells or any sparking or smoke, or any swelling, cracks or damage, unplug immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer.
