Make way for flaming DVD players

ONE THING PEOPLE tend to ignore about exploding laptops is that that it is not the laptops that explode, it is the batteries that get a tad too hot under the collar. The problem is that the batteries are in a lot of high end consumer electronics, not just laptops.

You have no doubt heard about phones popping, their batteries are far too small to violently explode sending shrapnel all over a room, but they can hurt you if they are in your pocket, or worse yet, cause a fire. Other consumer electronics have large lithium batteries also, and one such device, a portable DVD player, has shown a tendency to catch fire as well.

What do you do? Don't panic, don't freak out, just keep them on non-flamable surfaces when not in use, and have a charged fire extinguisher in the house. Chances are minuscule that it will happen to you anyway, on the grand scale of bad things, black plague, meteors and rampaging zebras are a much higher risk. Just be aware of the risks, and if the things feel really hot, let them cool off for a bit and you should be fine. µ