Japan's consumer affairs watchdog has issued a warning about a growing threat ― overheating smartphones. The National Consumer Affairs Center says it received some 520 complaints in fiscal 2012. That's over five times more than the year before.
Officials at the center say the section connecting the handset and power cord can become charred while the phone is charging. Some users suffered burns on their cheeks while making calls.
The officials found surface temperatures on some models rose to as high as nearly 60 degrees Celsius after videophone or game functions were used for about 10 minutes. They're advising consumers to make sure the charger terminal is free of foreign substances and liquids.
The officials are warning users against keeping the handset close to their skin for long periods of time. They're asking carriers to provide products that are less likely to overheat.
◆affairs 事柄、問題、事情
◆watchdog 監視者、監視機関
◆issue 発する、公表する
◆charred 焦げた
◆charge 充電する
◆burn やけど
◆temperatures 温度
◆substance 物、物質、物体
◆carrier 通信事業者
