Fidget spinners and hoverboards don’t have much in common on the surface, but they might be more alike than you think: Both are (or were) uber-popular toys for kids, appeared on the streets almost overnight, and can explode… if the toy contains a battery. [More]
explosion
At Least 17 Lithium-Ion Batteries Have Exploded On Planes This Year
By 6.9.17
Many air travelers fly with multiple devices that use lithium-ion batteries: phones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, smartwatches, fitness band, and more. As these batteries have become so widely used, the number of incidents involving exploding lithium-ion batteries on planes also appears to be on the rise. [More]
Passenger’s Headphones Explode During Flight
By 3.15.17
Many travelers enjoy getting a little shut-eye on their trip. While most are awoken by the sound of fellow passengers or small bout of turbulence, a woman traveling from China to Australia woke to the sound of an explosion: her headphones. [More]
Apple Investigating After iPhone 7 Plus Reportedly Explodes, Catches Fire
By 2.24.17
Four months after Apple launched an investigation into the alleged fire of an iPhone 7 device in Australia, the tech giant is opening a similar inquiry stateside after video posted this week shows an Arizona teen’s iPhone 7 Plus smoldering in its case. [More]
HP Expands Lithium-Ion Battery Recall To Include 101,000 Additional Laptops
By 1.24.17
Seven months after HP recalled 41,000 laptops because the lithium-ion batteries could overheat, causing explosions and fires, the company is expanding the recall to cover 101,000 additional batteries in HP and Compaq computers. [More]
Samsung Investigation Finds Battery Was Likely Main Cause Of Galaxy Note 7 Debacle
By 1.16.17
Five months after Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 debacle began, the tech company is preparing to put the whole exploding phone thing in the past, starting with an inquiry into why the devices unexpectedly caught fire or began to smoke. [More]
Apple Says iPhone Fires In China Are From “External Factors,” Not The Device
By 12.7.16
In the wake of Samsung’s massive, confusing recall of Galaxy Note 7 devices that could smoke, catch fire, and explode, consumers around the world are drawing attention to similar issues with other smartphones, including some battery fires with iPhones in China. However, Apple contends that these thermal incidents have nothing to do with the design of its signature phone. [More]
Samsung Banning Galaxy Note 7 Devices From Connecting To Networks In New Zealand
By 11.4.16
If you haven’t already turned in your potentially explosive, recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7, now is the time: Samsung plans to disconnect the phones from cellular networks — at least in New Zealand. [More]
Amid Complaints Of Exploding Samsung Washing Machines, Safety Agency Says To Use Delicate Cycle
By 9.28.16
Some owners of Samsung top-loading washing machines say their appliances exploded while in normal use. Now, federal safety regulators have confirmed they are looking into the matter and are advising Samsung owners on the best way to avoid the potential problem.
[More]
Airlines Verbally Warning Passengers To Not Use Samsung Note 7 During Flights
By 9.12.16
Days after the Federal Aviation Administration put out a statement asking passengers not to use or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on a plane following reports of exploding and smoking devices, some travelers say airlines are taking additional steps to ensure those devices are turned off. [More]
Paramedic Claims His Samsung Galaxy S6 Exploded While Charging
By 9.6.16
While the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is making headlines after reports of explosions and fires, owners of some earlier generation Galaxy devices say they’ve had similar experiences — like the Massachusetts paramedic who claims that his S6 Active exploded while it was plugged in. [More]
Explosion On Truck Carrying Takata Airbags Not Caused By Improper Shipping
By 8.31.16
On Aug. 22, a truck carrying potentially volatile airbags made by auto parts company Takata exploded, killing one person and injuring four others. Today, federal safety regulators said that the tragic incident could not be blamed on improper shipping. [More]
Nearly 501,000 Hoverboards Recalled Over Safety, Fire Hazards
By 7.6.16
Nearly five months ago, major retailer pulled “hoverboard” scooters from shelves after the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the not-actually-hovering devices were unsafe unless they met certain standards. Now the federal safety agency is announcing an official recall of around 501,000 hoverboards. [More]
No Passengers Injured When Megabus Catches Fire, Explodes Outside Of Chicago
By 2.22.16
In September 2010, a Megabus en route to Chicago burst into flames. History appeared to repeat itself Sunday, when another of the company’s discount travel buses caught fire in a suburb of the Windy City. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident, but passengers say they lost hundreds of dollars in possessions. [More]
Man Says E-Cigarette Exploded In His Hand, Pieces Of Metal Pierced Wall
By 10.26.15
While it’s been several years since we reported on an e-cigarette exploding while charging or being used by a consumer, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. Case in point: A Wichita, KS, man says the device he used to try to beat his nicotine habit erupted, burning his hands and damaging nearby walls. [More]
Watch A Takata Airbag Explode In Slow Motion
By 10.23.15
Last year, owners of vehicles equipped with shrapnel-shooting Takata airbags shared their point of view of the massive safety device recall, likening the situation to driving around with an explosive device in their steering wheel and dashboard. Their description was no doubt frightening, but seeing one of the airbags rupture in real time is even more so. [More]
Explosion At General Motors Plant Leaves One Dead, Eight Injured
By 7.2.14
General Motors received more bad news on Tuesday evening: A chemical explosion at the company’s metal-stamping plant near Fort Wayne, IN, left one person dead and eight others injured. [More]
Slim Jim Factory Explodes, Kills Three, Requires HazMat Team
By 6.11.09
A ConAgra plant near Raleigh, N.C., that makes and packages Slim Jim beef jerky was rocked by a huge explosion on Tuesday, killing three employees and sending dozens of workers and three firefighters to hospital with severe burns or “exposure to toxic fumes.”
