In July 2019 researchers from the USA published a case report concerning a 19-year-old woman who had suffered a burn from her generic iPhone charger. Many children and adolescents charge their portable electronic devices at night-time, especially whilst being used in bed, and this has led to an increasing number of reported electric current injuries from the portable electronic devices’ charging cables. This is especially so when cheaper equipment is being used from generic manufacturers. In this case report the woman was lying in bed wearing a chain necklace, with the charger underneath her pillow and plugged into an electrical outlet, when she felt a sudden burning sensation and severe pain around her neck. On examination she was found to have a circular partial-thickness burn. It is thought that she possibly sustained the injury from the charger as it came in contact with her necklace, causing a burn. Several companies have investigated the difference in quality and safety of generic versus Apple-brand chargers and have found that the majority of the generic chargers fail basic safety tests. It is therefore important that the general public is educated about the safe use of these devices, especially whilst they are charging.
Bunke C et al. Circumferential Partial-Thickness Burn Caused by Mobile Telephone Charger: A Case Report. Ann Emerg Med. 2019 Jul 17. [Epub ahead of print]