Call for e-cigarette charger fire warnings

Electronic cigarette users in the UK have been advised not to use cheap, unbranded chargers, and not to leave electronic cigarettes unattended while they are being charged – especially over night.

A BBC Online story quoted Emma Apter, of the charity Electrical Safety First, as saying that her organization was becoming increasingly concerned about the number of incidents involving electronic cigarettes.

“Recent events have shown that the simple act of charging one of these items can be deadly, so steps do need to be taken in order to make consumers more aware of the dangers,” she said.

Meanwhile, following a rise in incidents linked to electronic cigarettes, fire service bosses are said to have called for safety messages to be displayed on them.

Data obtained by the Press Association from 43 fire services across the UK shows they were called out to eight incidents involving electronic cigarettes in 2012; a figure that rose to 43 in 2013 and that stands at 62 so far this year.

A number of incidents have been attributed to the use of incompatible chargers.

The BBC Online story is at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30064154.