A
TikTok user has issued a warning about a common household item that can be hazardous if left unchecked: generic USB-C charging cables. Julie Endicott, who runs a farm in Oregon, shared a video revealing how one of these chargers had burned through her blanket while plugged in and unused.
The charger was "fairly new" and had no brand name or identifying features. Endicott thought it could be used with any USB-C device, but it turned out to be faulty. Her son's tablet had been charging on the cable overnight, and after being unplugged, the other end of the charger had been left lying on top of a blanket for several hours.
Endicott was at home when she noticed a strong burning smell coming from the living room. She quickly checked all the outlets and found smoke emanating from the blanket behind the couch. The charger had melted and was emitting a distinctive overheated electronics smell.
To avoid similar incidents, Endicott now plugs her chargers into power strips and shuts them off when not in use. She also keeps them away from flammable materials. Her experience serves as a reminder to be cautious with generic charging cables and to take steps to prevent fires.
