An electrical safety educator, Mr Patrick Okoye, has cautioned Nigerians against charging mobile phones on beds while sleeping, warning that the practice increases the risk of fire outbreaks.
Okoye issued the warning during an electrical safety awareness programme held in Awka on Saturday.
He explained that placing phones on beds, pillows or under blankets while charging traps heat and prevents proper ventilation, which can cause devices to overheat.
According to him, prolonged overheating of mobile devices significantly increases the likelihood of fire incidents, especially in enclosed sleeping environments.
“Many people do not realise that charging a phone on a bed restricts heat dissipation, making the device more likely to overheat,” he said.
Okoye also warned that the rainy season presents additional risks due to unstable power supply, lightning strikes and frequent electrical surges.
He noted that such fluctuations can damage devices and increase the probability of fire outbreaks during charging.
“During the rainy season, power fluctuations and lightning-related surges further increase the danger,” he added.
The safety expert advised Nigerians to charge their phones only on hard, flat and non-flammable surfaces such as tables or desks.
He also recommended that users disconnect chargers once devices are fully charged to avoid overheating.
Okoye further cautioned against using damaged cables, counterfeit chargers and overloaded extension sockets, stressing that they pose serious electrical hazards.
He urged schools, churches, community leaders and youth groups to intensify awareness campaigns on electrical safety practices.
According to him, consistent public education remains key to preventing avoidable fire incidents and protecting lives and property.
“Our goal is to prevent avoidable accidents. People should never sleep with a phone charging on the bed or under a pillow,” he said.
