In a shocking incident, a young boy in Taiwan suffered second-degree burns on his arm when his smartwatch exploded while he was wearing it.
The incident occurred as he was on his way to his tuition class, and the device suddenly started to heat up before detonating, causing severe injuries that required skin grafts.
The smartwatch, known to be quite expensive with a retail price of approximately S$155 (NT$3,590), has raised concerns regarding the safety of such devices.
Heats up then exploded
The unfortunate event took place on Friday, June 30, in New Taipei City, as reported by the Chinese-language news outlet ETtoday.
The ten-year-old boy was heading to his tuition class when he noticed his smartwatch heating up. Shortly after, the device exploded, resulting in burns on both his arms. The excruciating pain caused the boy to burst into tears, and a compassionate shopkeeper nearby rushed to his aid.
The shopkeeper applied burn medication to the boy’s injuries before he continued on his way to class. The severity of the burns prompted his tuition teacher to call for an ambulance.
Skin graft
It was revealed that the boy’s parents had purchased the smartwatch online from a relatively unknown brand four years prior to the incident. The reason behind the sudden combustion of the smartwatch remains unclear, as the boy had always been cautious while using the device.
The news outlet highlighted that the smartwatch is priced between S$155 (NT$3,590) and S$216.50 (NT$4,990). The explosion resulted in second-degree burns on the back of the boy’s right hand, necessitating a skin graft to aid in the healing process.
Only buy from trusted brands
Following this alarming incident, the local fire department issued a warning, urging citizens to only purchase electronic devices from trusted retailers. Safety concerns regarding smartwatches and other similar gadgets have escalated, and consumers are advised to exercise caution when choosing such devices. In case of burns or scalds, the fire department recommends the following steps:
- Run cold water over the affected area.
- Remove any articles of clothing or accessories from the affected area.
- Cover the affected area.
- Seek immediate medical treatment at the hospital.
The fire department also reminded citizens of the importance of knowing the “stop, drop, and roll” technique in case their clothes or bodies catch fire.
Ongoing Investigations
The incident involving the exploding smartwatch has sparked an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and prevent similar occurrences in the future. Authorities are actively looking into the matter to ensure the safety of consumers.
Header images source: ETtoday