topic Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath in Off-Topic

Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

Glory1 — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 05:57:25 GMT

I have just read this news item on the BBC Red Button service.

This may be a silly question but who in their right mind charges a phone, any phone, while they're in the bath? Or near any water for that matter. I would have thought even a non-techie like me knows this is a no-no!

The story went on to say the coroner planned to send a report to Apple 'about taking action to prevent future deaths'.

Is it me or isn't this just common sense.

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

Cleoriff — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 07:34:10 GMT

I read about this yesterday and like you I was shocked @Glory1

Apparently he had an extension lead plugged in another room, which allowed him to charge his phone in the bathroom.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/17/coroner-warns-of-dangers-after-man-electrocuted-in-bath-while-charging-phone

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

adamtemp64 — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:12:31 GMT

as @Cleoriff says the man was using an extension lead bringing in 240v into contact with water is never a good idea. That is why only certain types of sockets and light switches are allowed in the bathroom .

As to why apple are being told to warn users it baffles me http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39307418

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

Cleoriff — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:41:36 GMT

A report should certainly go to Apple as it was one of their devices being used. However, for health and safety purposes the public should be warned that using ANY mobile in the bathroom whilst it's connected to a charger is dangerous practice. A warning 'just to Apple' defeats the overall point

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

adamtemp64 — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:50:16 GMT

@Cleoriff my point why just apple

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

adamtemp64 — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:51:12 GMT

Just found this guide on a well known bathroom supplier https://victoriaplum.com/blog/posts/electrical-products-and-bathroom-safety

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

Cleoriff — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:57:38 GMT

@adamtemp64 wrote:
@Cleoriff my point why just apple

It's headline catching @adamtemp64.It's an iPhone . Probably hooks more people in to read it.

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 11:01:05 GMT

Why would anyone take their phone into the bathroom near water? They need common sense

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

MI5 — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 11:15:40 GMT

Android and Windows phones must be safe to use in the bath then lol!

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

Glory1 — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 15:04:02 GMT

@Anonymous you are so right. I am attached to my mobile phone in a big way. Because I don't have a laptop/desktop PC my mobile phone is constantly in use. All my emails, online shopping, texts, online browsing etc is done through my mobile. Consequently, I charge it at least twice a day sometimes more. And while I have often charged it while I'm in the bath, it is in another room not in the bath with me. That's what I can't get my head around.

I mean was he using the phone while it was charging? Something I do frequently and, in fact, am doing now while posting this. But never ever while in the bath. Your hands are wet and the phone can so easily slip out of your hand and into the bath.

Like @Anonymous to me it's just common sense not to use your phone in the bathroom period. To charge it in the bath - insanity.

@Cleoriff you are absolutely correct that the public should be warned that it's dangerous to use any phone in the bath whilst it's charging not just an iPhone. But I would go one step further and say keep your mobile phone out of the bathroom period.

@adamtemp64 the guide makes interesting reading.

@MI5 as always love your sense of humour....😁

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

adamtemp64 — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 16:13:20 GMT

@Glory1 In a lifeproof case a phone can be used anywhere without any ports open on the beach or bath. If you use an external battery pack at 5v you could also charge near water as the voltage or amp age would not do any harm.

To put this in perspective any 5v dc device not connected to anything will never harm you. But introduce 240v ac at max 13amps can kill but in modern installs of mains power, the main distribution boards use rcd's are used rather than fuses and they trip easily preventing this sort of incident.

Re: Man Dies Charging iPhone in Bath

Glory1 — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 16:27:14 GMT

Thank you @adamtemp64 you have given me very useful information none of which I was aware of. I imagine there are many people like me who are unaware of what you say. This is the sort of information everyone with a mobile should have.