This Old Phone Became a Fire Hazard Under My Nose

We all know damaged lithium-ion batteries are fire hazards. Yet, many of us store old phones and gadgets in closets and drawers. A swollen phone in my dresser prompted me to change this habit – and I urge you to do the same.

Devices with swollen batteries should never be used or charged. For safe disposal of defective batteries, consult our guide (link to guide if available). No need for special tools; just handle with care.

Over the years, I've reviewed many products. High-end items usually go back to the manufacturer, but cheaper devices, like Android phones, rarely are returned due to shipping costs.

Some old Android phones I've used were given away. However, I keep a few for testing apps and taking screenshots. A recent project required more phones, leading me to unearth a OnePlus Nord N10 5G from my dresser – a phone I reviewed in 2020.

The Nord N10 5G was a decent budget phone. Unfortunately, it was a European model incompatible with US carriers. Unable to give it away, it sat unused for four years.

Retrieving it, I discovered a broken fingerprint sensor. It appeared pushed in – odd. The pictures don't fully show it, but there was a significant gap revealing internal components.

The cause? A swollen battery. The pressure had pushed the sensor inward.

It took me a moment to realize this. The bulge was hidden by the phone's blue plastic casing. My delayed realization isn't the main issue; the problem is storing a potentially hazardous device improperly.

Swollen, damaged, or punctured lithium-ion batteries are serious fire risks. These fires are difficult to extinguish and release toxic hydrogen fluoride gas. If you have devices with faulty batteries, stop using them immediately and dispose of them safely. Never throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash, even undamaged ones, as they could be punctured during disposal.

Finally, a suggestion for manufacturers: make batteries easier to remove and replace. If I'd removed the battery before storage, I wouldn't need to dispose of the entire phone. Or, at least, safe battery removal would prevent accidental fires.

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