X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

Remote-control toy explodes while charging: Family urges other parents to be careful

6 Jun, 2018
Remote-control toy explodes while charging: Family urges other parents to be carefulRemote-control toy explodes while charging: Family urges other parents to be careful

A toy that was being charged caused a battery explosion that started a fire in a child's room. How did this happen, and can it be prevented?

These days, rechargeable batteries are a common feature of most toys and gadgets. However, did you know that these can potentially cause a battery explosion?

One family shares the story of how a simple remote-controlled car almost caused severe injury to their child and burned down their house.

The Battery Explosion Almost Cost Them Their Home and Health

battery explosion

A remote-controlled car, similar to this one, suddenly exploded while it was being charged.

12-year-old Austin Harnish from Colorado loves to play with his remote-controlled cars. Since he’s too young to drive, he satisfies his need for speed by driving his cars around their house and their neighborhood.

But one day, while Austin was playing at a nearby park, one of the cars that he was charging in his room suddenly exploded and burst into flames. 

His mother, Melanie Harnish, shares, “I came up the stairs and our whole second floor was full of smoke and there were flames shooting out of his bedroom, I completely panicked. I ran down the stairs as fast as I could screaming fire.”

She grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried to put out the flame, but she was too nervous to even take the pin out.

Austin’s dad, Jeff Harnish, sprang into action by unplugging the charger and putting out the fire using the fire extinguisher.

Their neighbors called 911, and soon enough, firefighters were at their home.

Jeff shares, “If we weren’t home it’d be a way different story.”

The family hopes that other parents will be extra careful when it comes to these types of toys.

Safety Tips for Parents

A battery explosion can happen due to a number of reasons. In some cases, it can be a faulty charger or a faulty battery. Sometimes it can be caused by mishandling a charger, or overcharging a battery for too long.

Either way, it’s important for parents to be aware of these dangers and to know what they can do to minimize the risk.

Here are some safety tips:

  1. Never leave batteries out in the open. Children can play with these batteries, or even swallow them, which can cause severe injuries.
  2. If a toy or gadget has leaking batteries, it’s best to throw it out since it can be a potential fire hazard.
  3. Never leave any chargers unattended and unplug them when the battery is full. Overcharging can sometimes overload the battery and cause an explosion.
  4. Batteries or toys and gadgets with built-in batteries should never be thrown in the trash. They should be taken to a recycling facility to be processed.
  5. Make sure that the battery compartments of gadgets and toys are secure and shut.
  6. If you see any bloated or damaged batteries, it’s best to take them out.

 

Source: kdvr.com

photo: pixabay.com, flickr.com, kdvr.com

READ: Desiccant pack explodes, leaving boy blind in one eye

Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore

 

Partner Stories
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
Motherhood away from home
Motherhood away from home
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jan Alwyn Batara

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • Remote-control toy explodes while charging: Family urges other parents to be careful
Share:
  • Here's what to do if your child swallows a button battery

    Here's what to do if your child swallows a button battery

  • What happens when a child swallows a Lego?

    What happens when a child swallows a Lego?

  • Jennylyn Mercado nasorpresa sa biglaang panganganak: "Hindi kami ready!"

    Jennylyn Mercado nasorpresa sa biglaang panganganak: "Hindi kami ready!"

  • Anak ni Ruffa Gutierrez emosyonal nang muling makausap si Yilmaz Bektas: "I hope one day, magkita sila."

    Anak ni Ruffa Gutierrez emosyonal nang muling makausap si Yilmaz Bektas: "I hope one day, magkita sila."

app info
get app banner
  • Here's what to do if your child swallows a button battery

    Here's what to do if your child swallows a button battery

  • What happens when a child swallows a Lego?

    What happens when a child swallows a Lego?

  • Jennylyn Mercado nasorpresa sa biglaang panganganak: "Hindi kami ready!"

    Jennylyn Mercado nasorpresa sa biglaang panganganak: "Hindi kami ready!"

  • Anak ni Ruffa Gutierrez emosyonal nang muling makausap si Yilmaz Bektas: "I hope one day, magkita sila."

    Anak ni Ruffa Gutierrez emosyonal nang muling makausap si Yilmaz Bektas: "I hope one day, magkita sila."

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at lifestyle update.