Cardiff Trading Standards is warning people after the death of a 62 year old man in Merseyside last week in a fire believed to have been caused by an E-cigarette.
It is believed that the victim had been charging his E-cigarette when it exploded and caused the blaze.
E-cigarettes are increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional cigarettes and heat a liquid nicotine solution, creating vapour that users inhale. Power is supplied by an in-built battery, which is either recharged directly from another electrical device using a USB cable or via a traditional plug-in adaptor.
Initial investigation by the Merseyside Fire Service suggests that the charging device being used may not have been the one originally supplied with the E-cigarette. This factor may have led to the device malfunctioning and the consequent explosion.
Consumers are being issued with the following advice in the light of this tragedy:
- always use electrical equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and guidance
- do not leave electrical items charging overnight
- do not leave electrical items charging unattended for long periods
- do not mix different parts for E-cigarettes
Councillor Daniel De’Ath, with responsibility for consumer protection said,
“This is important advice. People should be aware that electrical items should only be purchased from a reputable sources and that they should only be used with the original cables or chargers designed for them. The tragic event in Merseyside is a warning to us all of the potential risks of misusing electrical items.”
