Using Power Banks & Portable Chargers Safely
Need to charge your portable device on the move but don’t have mains power?
Modern gadgets are power hungry. Our increasingly busy lives mean a dead battery can leave you disconnected from life, work, and your daily routine. Portable chargers and power banks will keep you from getting stranded when you’re on the go and without a convenient charging source. They are ideal for recharging your smartphones and similar devices wherever you are when you find yourself low on power.
As with all electrical and electronic devices, it’s important to treat them with respect and care to ensure they continue to work properly and safely.
With this in mind, we advise you to think about some general Dos and Don’ts to help keep you safe when using power banks and portable chargers:
Do
- Do use the power pack only for its intended use. E.g. to recharge your mobile phone or other USB powered mobile devices.
- Do keep away from heat sources and liquids - direct sunlight, humidity or water.
- Do only use connecting cables provided with the battery pack and your mobile device.
- Do supervise children using battery packs.
Don't
- Don’t expose to extreme temperatures of hot or cold. For example, do not leave it in a parked car where it could get very cold in winter or very hot in summer.
- Don’t leave a battery on prolonged charge when not in use.
- Don’t store battery packs where they may short-circuit by conductive material - such as in your pocket or bag with coins or keys.
- Don’t drop or roughly handle battery packs. They are robust but not indestructible.
- Don't cover when charging. Charge in a well-ventilated environment.
- Don't charge battery packs overnight or whilst you are out of the house. Most portable battery packs do not support charging and discharging at the same time.
- Don’t dismantle or attempt to repair faulty battery packs.
- In the event of a cell leaking, don't allow the liquid to come into contact with the skin or eyes. If contact has been made, wash the affected area with water and seek medical advice.
Note
Most power banks and bars use lithium-Ion chemistry batteries that will naturally get warm due to high currents flowing during charge and discharge cycles. It is normal for them to feel warm to touch, but if they are too hot to handle, do not use and seek advice from the manufacturer.