I’m the mom of twin seven-year-old boys, and every day when they go off to catch the school bus, they’re toting their “Sonic the Hedgehog” backpacks holding their lunch — and an Apple AirTag so I can keep tabs on each of them.
They’re about to enter second grade, but as they get older, I know those backpacks will get upgraded, and so will the contents.
I grew up in a time when book bags carried books, notebooks, pens, and pencils, but today’s students carry a wide variety of electronic devices from calculators to phones to laptops that help them learn, relax, and interact with the rest of the connected world, especially as they get older.
Because of my job, I’m always looking into the safety of the devices I put in the hands of my kids. That’s not always an easy task, but whether your children are heading to kindergarten or to college, it’s important for you (and them) to learn how to eliminate potential hazards.
Some Students Are Safety Savvy, But Not All
A new survey of college students by UL Standards & Engagement reveals a gap between safety-savvy students and those who need some remedial classes.
When buying an electronic product, 57% of students headed to college this year say they typically check to see if it meets safety standards set by a reputable third-party organization. But 22% do not, and an equal number are unsure.
About 80% of respondents to the ULSE survey usually turn to name brands when purchasing personal electronic devices, entertainment and media devices. A little more than half do the same for appliances and lighting. That’s generally a good practice, as many name brands comply with safety standards. The cheapest items you may be tempted by may not may not be the safest choice, and ultimately not the deal you wanted.
But even if a device is made by a trusted brand and is safety-certified, improper use can put you at risk.
Of students surveyed, 32% had plugged one or more multi-outlet power strips into another power strip in their dorm rooms, a process known as daisy-chaining that can present a fire hazard. Worse yet, 37% had plugged multiple appliances, including mini-fridges and high-wattage devices like microwaves, into a single power strip. With the strips only intended to provide outlets for a few low-power devices, that’s a move that can easily cause an overload, leading to a serious electrical malfunction or even a fire.
About 25% of incoming college students plan to take an e-bike to campus, and 20% will have an e-scooter. But only 44% of 18-to-24-year-old e-bike owners know their device contains a lithium-ion battery, while only 32% of e-scooter owners are aware.
E-Bikes Are Popular But Pose Risk of Battery Fires
If poorly constructed, damaged, or handled improperly, the lithium-ion batteries in these bikes and scooters can go into thermal runaway and explode into a fast-moving fire that can be hard to extinguish. Furthermore, these valuable vehicles are often stored inside, potentially blocking the exit if a fire occurs. Some colleges and universities, in fact, ban them from dorm rooms for this reason, so check your school’s rules. These issues are why you should buy electric bikes and scooters that meet safety standards, and ULSE has set three: UL 2849 for e-bikes, UL 2272 for e-scooters, and UL 2271 for batteries for both.
Lithium-ion batteries aren’t used just in bikes and scooters. In fact, they power almost all portable electronic devices we use today, from smartphones to laptops, making it important to always follow safe charging practices and to watch for trouble signs like overheating.
Shockingly, in a recent social media trend known as the Chromebook challenge, students as young as middle school have been dangerously short-circuiting and destroying school-issued computers on purpose in hope of getting clicks and likes. These online antics have led to injuries and sent at least one student to the hospital.
With all these potential risks, it’s a good idea to check that smoke alarms in dorm rooms or off-campus housing work properly. And students should also pack a portable carbon monoxide alarm — while smoke alarms are nearly universal, the same isn’t yet true for CO. Detection is prevention against this odorless, tasteless, and deadly gas that can overcome victims before they sense anything is wrong.
Safety Begins on the Way to College
The dangers faced by today’s college students can come even before they get to campus if they are flying to an out-of-state school. Another recent ULSE study found thermal runaway incidents on airplanes are on the rise. E-cigarette “vapes” and portable chargers powered by lithium-ion batteries lead the list of devices malfunctioning and causing flight disruptions on an average of twice a week. Airlines and government safety agencies have adopted new rules requiring passengers who are charging their devices to keep them in plain sight and within arm’s reach. That’s sound advice for students at home or in the dorm as well.
I have many years before my twins head off to college but I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned working at ULSE and hope others find them valuable as well.
Good luck to all the students this school year.
