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Electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, and other devices have made this world a healthier one by minimizing smoking rates. However, during the last couple of years, it has been proven that these are hazardous products. Burns, minor explosions, injuries, lung damage, and sometimes fires are attributed to these vaporizing devices.
E-cigs utilize a heated coil to vaporize the liquid into a glycerin and nicotine mixture. Most e-cigs are run by lithium-ion batteries. Vaping is supposed to mimic the sensation of smoking, but in a healthy way. The products were introduced in 2007, but only recently have they gained popularity. Some of the victims have further expressed hopes that the case might deter further injuries in relation to similar products and ensure accountability by the manufacturers.
Dangerous Products: Statistics
In 2014, the U.S. Fire Administration examined reports relating to 25 explosions involving electronic cigarettes. In 80% of the cases, these explosions happened while the battery was being charged. Ten of these incidents ended in injuries while 22 started fires that spread beyond the ecigarette.
According to the Vapingdaily.com report, around 195 e-cigarette explosive cases have been confirmed since 2016. There have been reported 195 e-cigarette explosions since 2016 as noted in a piece on Vapingdaily.com.
Causes of these Explosions
Lithium-ion batteries have been responsible for a high percentage of these explosives. Batteries in vape pens can be dangerous and have been known to shoot across the room during an explosion.
Some defective products don’t completely self-implode. Sometimes, charging lithium-ion batteries causes fires.
The wrong battery can also cause malfunctions. The batteries for other devices fit into the e-cigs or vape pens but they have a higher voltage, which can cause fires and explodes.
Some explosions occurred in the middle of use or when stored in pockets. The device exploded as the consumer opened the package in one case.
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How to avoid E-Cig Explosions
These tips will help you to avoid injuries caused by explosions or fires that are caused by these products.
- Vaping accessories of high quality are essential
- Batteries that are not recommended or approved by the device manufacturer should be avoided
- Charge your batteries and check them for safety
- Once the batteries are charged, unplug them.
- Do not move around with e-cig batteries in the pocket
- Keep e-cig batteries away from children and pets.
- Batteries damaged? How to dispose of them
- When not in use, turn off the device. This is especially important when it’s in your pocket.
Product Liability Lawyers Can Help
These scenarios can be considered product liability cases. This would be a case of “defectively manufactured product liability” if the e-cig was built incorrectly due to production flaws. The design flaws of the device would constitute a defectively designed product liability claim. It would be a product liability claim, for example, if it does not provide enough instructions or warnings-for example, fail to warn that other batteries are not to be used in the device.
The CDC also states that over ten adults in one hundred have ever used an e-cigarette at least once. A large part of the population may be exposed to having such devices malfunction. A product liability lawyer can assist victims in obtaining the compensation they deserve in case injuries happen as a result. Call or request a free consultation to discuss your product liability case with a W. Lee Clark & Associates attorney.
