South Yorkshire parents warned over electrical fire risk
3 in 4 children in South Yorkshire have a potential electrical fire risk in their room, according to research.
Children in South Yorkshire are putting their lives at risk by not charging their phones and tablets safely - that's according to the county's fire brigade.
It's as new stats show 3 in 4 children here have got potential electrical fire hazards in their bedroom.
Experts reckons "tech savvy" children are putting themselves in danger due to a lack of understanding - with over half of children admitting to charging their phone laptop or tablet on their bed.
Trevor Bernard, from South Yorkshire Fire, says it's a big issue here:
"We've seen electrical fires being a predominant cause of fire in our homes. This can be down to items left unattended, misuse, overcharging - we've had recent issues of telephone chargers setting on fire."
"If you're going to charge your phone, charge it throughout the day, make sure it's in sight and with you. But don't go to bed and leave them charging. When you pick the charger up and you unplug it the phone can be really warm - that's a sign of misuse."
The research, carried out by Electrical Safety First, found some of the main causes of electrical fires are leaving phones charging under a pillow, or using cheap unbranded chargers.
Trevor says it can have disastrous consequences:
"We've seen instances where you've got curling tongs and stuff like that - we've seen phones that have been left on the bed and set the pillowcase on fire. They are clear dangers and we're trying to raise the awareness to the public not to leave phones unattended and if you're going to charge them, do it on a solid surface."
"We've seen the consequences of this - it could result in a serious fire and it could result in serious injury or worse. Our message is to use the equipment within its capability, don't overload your sockets and charge it during teh day so you've got in your sight."