Your phone, laptops and other devices are ticking bombs in this extreme heat. Here’s how to prevent a fire

Recently, you may have seen several reports of cell phones catching fire after overheating or videos of AC catching fire and burning down an entire apartment in Noida society. Summers are the highest on record, with temperatures above 50 degrees across most of northern India. As summer temperatures rise, it’s not just people who suffer, our electronic devices are also at risk.

In extremely high temperatures, smartphones, laptops, TVs and even air conditioners can overheat and, in severe cases, catch fire. But why do devices overheat and what causes fires?

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Why do devices overheat?

Electronic devices such as smartphones and air conditioners produce heat as a by-product of their operation. When the ambient temperature is high, the cooling mechanisms in these devices, such as fans and heat sinks, have difficulty dissipating heat effectively. This can cause them to overheat, potentially damaging internal components and causing a fire.

For the same reason, airlines restrict you from carrying electronics and power banks in your checked baggage and instead ask you to take them in your cabin baggage. Devices stored in luggage may catch fire due to changes in pressure or temperature. In extreme heat, high air temperatures can cause batteries and components inside gadgets to heat up and potentially catch fire.

Similarly, if you use your smartphone or laptop indoors around noon, you may notice that they get warm even when not turned on. This is thanks to the battery inside them.

Here are some reasons why devices overheat:

Insufficient ventilation: Devices such as laptops and TVs have vents designed to dissipate heat. Blocking these openings with objects or placing devices in confined spaces prevents proper air flow.

Continuous use: Using devices for long periods of time without interruption increases their temperature. This is especially true for computationally intensive activities such as gaming or video editing.

High ambient temperature: High outdoor temperatures also make it difficult to cool devices. This problem is exacerbated if the device is exposed to direct sunlight or in a car on a hot day.

Dust: Faulty fans, damaged thermal paste, or dust accumulation in your smartphone, air conditioner, laptop, and other devices can also affect their cooling systems.

How to cool overheating devices

So how can you prevent your devices from overheating and avoid fires? Here are some steps you can take if your device starts to overheat:

• If you think your device is overheating, stop using it and give it a rest. Turn off the device and disconnect it from the power source. This stops further heat generation and allows the internal components to cool.
• Close unnecessary applications and reduce screen brightness. For smartphones, switching to airplane mode can minimize heat production.
• Place the device in a shady, cool place, away from direct sunlight. For mobile devices, removing the case can also help dissipate heat more quickly. You can hold the laptop upside down so that the fan underneath can get air.
• For laptops, additional airflow can be provided by a cooling pad with built-in fans. External fans can help circulate air around larger devices such as TVs or game consoles.

Safety tips if the device catches fire

• If your device catches fire, here are some safety tips:
• If it is safe to do so, disconnect your device. For larger devices, turn off the main power.
• If the fire is small and easy to control, use a fire extinguisher designed to extinguish electrical fires. Do not use water as it can conduct electricity and cause further damage.
• If the fire spreads or you are unable to control it, evacuate the area and call emergency services immediately.
• Do not attempt to reuse the device after a fire. It is likely to be severely damaged and may pose further hazards.