Japan's consumer center issues warning over smartphones overheating

Japan's National Consumer Affairs Center has reportedly issued a warning about smartphones overheating after an yearly surge in smartphone-caused burn accidents was witnessed.

The center said that there were 75 reports of smartphone-caused burn injuries in Japan and 1,032 reports altogether of smartphones overheating between April 2009 and December.

According to the Japan Times, the number of cases increased yearly, hitting a record 523 in fiscal 2012, and the center expected it to rise further in fiscal 2013, which will end March 31.

The center said that smartphones might be at greater risk of overheating than other mobile phones as they consume far more electricity and must be charged more frequently.

It has also advised consumers to take precautions while handling charging terminals as broken terminals caused the temperatures around them to rise to more than 100 degrees.

The center has also asked Telecommunications Carriers Association to do more to make consumers aware of the risks and to develop smartphones invulnerable to overheating, the report added.