An Apple charger popped while connected through an extension cord and left a burn on a pillow. Someone nearby felt what might have been an electric shock. Another device on the same outlet kept working. What should I do next, and is this something to report or take legal action over?
My charger popped and burned a pillow. What should I do?
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Jevlet.3m
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First, stop using the charger, cable, extension cord, and outlet until they can be checked. If anything is still smoking or burning, get everyone out and call emergency services. Don't touch damaged equipment while it's energized. Switch off the circuit at the breaker if you can do so safely.
The person who felt a shock should seek medical advice promptly, even if there are no obvious marks. If they have chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or other serious symptoms, call emergency services.
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You can't tell which part failed from the clock staying on. A fault in the charger, cord, extension, or outlet could happen without cutting power to everything else. Have a qualified electrician inspect the outlet and wiring before using it again, especially if there's scorching, a burning smell, or a loose connection.
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Take photos of the damage and keep the charger, cable, extension, and packaging if you have it. Don't take the charger apart. Contact Apple support to report the incident and ask how they want to inspect the equipment. You can also report it to the consumer product safety agency in your country.
Keep any receipts and records of damage or medical expenses. If you're considering a legal claim, a local lawyer can explain whether it's worth pursuing. The cause and extent of the harm aren't clear yet.
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g4~sparekey_861:
And a surge protector isn't a diagnosis or a fix for damaged wiring. Don't just replace the extension and plug everything back into the same outlet.