Exploding Cell Phone Kills Man

Posted Feb 3, 09 4:57 AM CST
(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