Pay attention to safety when using mobile phone - FOMCA

Consumers are urged to give serious attention to safety when using mobile phones following a number of reported incidents related to the device.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) president Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason said apart from ensuring that the battery charger and the mobile phone were genuine, consumers also need to avoid using the phone while at petrol stations.

He said switching off the mobile phone while charging would also mean giving the device a break from being used continuously as a communication tool, to watch movies, play games, surf on social networking sites and so on.

He was commenting on an incident involving a 19-year-old youth in Melaka, who was reportedly electrocuted in his sleep while listening to his mobile phone that was being charged to a power bank, on Friday.

It was reported that the victim was found dead by his mother in his bedroom lying down with earphones still attached to his mobile phone that was being charged to a power bank.

Previously, on Aug 25 last year, a cameraman suffered burns on his left thigh when a power bank placed in his bag suddenly caught fire while he was working in the federal capital.

Another case was involving a 27-year-old boat skipper who suffered injuries to his hands and face after his mobile phone that was being charged suddenly exploded on April 23, 2016 in an incident in Yan, Kedah.

-- BERNAMA