Overview
- Which? researcher Adam Speight says modern smartphones manage charging to limit battery stress, often holding near 80% overnight and topping up before wake time.
- Firechief Global cautions that phones covered by pillows or blankets can trap heat during charging, increasing the risk of overheating and a potential fire.
- London Fire Brigade notes lithium‑ion batteries are widely safe but can become hazardous if over‑charged, short‑circuited, submerged, or damaged.
- Safety advice recommends placing devices on flat, open, non‑combustible surfaces with space around them rather than on beds or under bedding.
- Researchers link heavy phone use before bedtime with delayed sleep and poorer sleep quality, even as safety experts warn a bedside fire can be especially dangerous for children and older adults.