Households across the United Kingdom are being urged to stop a common bedtime practice that firefighters warn could have deadly consequences. The seemingly harmless habit of charging a mobile phone in bed, particularly under pillows or within bedding, is creating a significant fire risk.
The Hidden Danger Under Your Pillow
Fire and rescue services, alongside product safety experts, are now issuing regular warnings against charging devices on soft furnishings. The core of the danger lies in heat build-up. When a phone or its charger is placed under a pillow or duvet while plugged in, the bedding acts as insulation, trapping heat that would normally dissipate.
This trapped heat can cause the lithium-ion battery inside the phone to overheat dangerously. In worst-case scenarios, this can lead to a process called thermal runaway, where the battery fails catastrophically and can ignite. This risk is heightened if the device, its battery, or the charger is faulty, damaged, or of poor quality.
Life insurance specialists at Life Pro stress that this is not a risk confined to older or recalled models. Any lithium-ion battery can potentially fail if it is damaged, cheaply manufactured, or misused. They highlight the extreme peril of a fire starting just inches from a sleeping person's face, noting that children and older adults may be especially vulnerable due to slower reaction times.
The Three Essential Safety Rules
In response to this growing concern, clear guidance has been reinforced. To charge your devices safely, you should follow these three must-do rules:
- Always use a hard, flat surface. Charge phones, tablets, and laptops on nightstands, desks, or countertops—never on the bed, sofa, or under a pillow.
- Ensure plenty of space for ventilation. Leave room around the device and charger so heat can escape freely. Avoid cluttering charging areas.
- Inspect your cables and chargers regularly. Look for signs of damage, fraying, or overheating. Only use reputable, certified chargers.
Beyond the Flames: The Sleep Disruption Cost
While the fire hazard is the most urgent warning, specialists also point to another significant downside of bedtime phone use. Research indicates that using smartphones in the hour or two before sleep can severely disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm.
The blue light emitted from screens suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that signals to our bodies that it is time to sleep. Systematic reviews have linked heavy nighttime smartphone use, particularly among teenagers and young adults, to later bedtimes, shorter sleep duration, and poorer overall sleep quality.
This December, as nights draw in and routines change, the combined message from safety and health professionals is clear: for the sake of both your safety and your sleep, keep your phone off the bed and out from under the pillow.
