After Suffering Fall, Cyclist Suffers 3rd Degree Burns from iPhone

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On Monday, a Sydney bicycle rider was severely burned after he fell off of his bicycle and then his iPhone caught fire and gave the man 3rd degree burns.

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Gareth Clear, 36, said his iPhone was in his back pocket and ignited after he had a fall from his bike while riding on Sunday afternoon. 

I just saw smoke coming out of my back pocket…and then all of a sudden I felt this surging pain

Mr. Clear said, adding that he felt a “searing heat” as the phone burnt through his riding shorts in a matter of seconds.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said that it was investigating, but that the slimness of modern devices like the iPhone increased the risk of such incidents:

The decreasing size and slimness of portable devices coupled with consumer expectations about battery life are a challenge for battery manufacturers. Lithium batteries are vulnerable to significant physical impact, [which] may damage the extremely thin separators that keep the elements of the battery apart.

Apple has been in touch with Clear, who said that he does not blame the company for his injury but does want to raise awareness. The ACCC recommends mobile phones are not stored in pockets when people’s activities mean there is a chance of a significant physical impact.

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Dan Uff

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