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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Exploding Cell Phone Kills Man

Chinese cops suspect counterfeit battery may have caused phone to blow up

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(Newser) – A man in Guangzhou, China, was killed last week when his cell phone blew up and severed an artery in his neck, the Times of London reports. The young shop clerk is believed to have put the phone in his breast pocket straight after charging a new battery before it exploded. Police are investigating whether the phone or battery were counterfeit and warn that consumers should always use original batteries.

Claiming that this is the ninth cell phone explosion recorded in China since 2002, a local paper offered these other tips on how to avoid being injured or killed by your phone:

  • Never modify your phone
  • Do not expose your phone to high temperatures or direct sunlight
  • Avoid long phone conversations
  • Keep your phone in a bag, not a pocket

Police cordon off a shop in Guangzhou where a worker was killed by an exploding cell phone.
Police cordon off a shop in Guangzhou where a worker was killed by an exploding cell phone.   (Guangzhou News)
A man walks past banners promoting mobile services in Beijing. Cell phone use is rocketing in China but authorities warn that counterfeit phones and batteries can be dangerous.
A man walks past banners promoting mobile services in Beijing. Cell phone use is rocketing in China but authorities warn that counterfeit phones and batteries can be dangerous.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Chinese police warned consumers to stick with original batteries.
Chinese police warned consumers to stick with original batteries.
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4 comments
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Shannonals
Feb 4, 09 3:26 AM CST
What...c'mon...is this another urban legend? Reply
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Ryan
Feb 4, 09 5:26 AM CST
yeah wasn't this on mythbusters? Reply
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YouAreWrong
Feb 4, 09 7:05 AM CST
Batteries explode all the time... Reply
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riffran
Feb 7, 09 12:42 AM CST
The phone was made by the sum Ting Wong corporation..... Reply
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