Phones that have been sitting idle for years have started to catch fire: Don't make the mistake that burned down houses!

Old cell phones that have been sitting unused for years in drawers and corners of your home can be much more dangerous than you might think. Experts warn that leaving devices, especially those with lithium-ion batteries, uncharged and unused for extended periods can lead to battery degradation, which can eventually lead to a fire.

CHEMICALS ARE LEAKING

Lithium-ion batteries inside phones can lose their chemical balance over time. Swollen batteries can strain the device's casing, causing cracks. Chemicals leaking from these cracks, combined with sudden heat or sparks, pose a risk of explosion and fire. Rising temperatures, especially in the summer, exacerbate this danger.

CHECK REGULARLY

Electronic safety experts recommend checking unused phones regularly, ensuring their batteries are not completely discharged, and storing them away from high temperatures, humidity, or sunlight. Furthermore, devices with swollen or damaged batteries should be immediately returned to recycling points.

CAN BURN HOUSES

These devices, often mistakenly called "drawer phones," can unknowingly become a serious fire risk in your home. With simple precautions, you can protect both your home and your loved ones.