Full Breakdown
Phone Repair Shops Warn Against Refrigerating Overheated Devices During Heatwave
7/15/2026, 11:19:38 AM
Surge in Heat-Related Device Failures
During the June heatwave in the United Kingdom, Jamie Farnell, owner of Shropshire Phone Repairs in Wem, reported a dramatic increase in phones, tablets and laptops arriving with “internal moisture damage.” Customers of all ages admitted they had tried to cool their devices by placing them in refrigerators or freezers after seeing the advice spread on social media. The shop also dealt with an iPad whose swollen lithium-ion battery exploded, underscoring the seriousness of the problem.
Why Fridge-Cooling Backfires
Farnell explains that the danger lies not in the cold itself but in rapid temperature changes that cause condensation inside the device. Moisture can settle on the display, logic board, charging port or battery connectors, leading to corrosion, short-circuits and permanent failure. Swollen batteries, a common symptom of overheating, may enter “thermal runaway,” a reaction that can cause the battery to catch fire, according to the charity Electrical Safety First.
Expert Advice on Battery Safety
Electrical Safety First notes that lithium-ion cells ignite most often when they are crushed or pierced, but overheating can also degrade the internal structure and trigger thermal runaway. The organization advises against any DIY cooling methods, recommending instead that users allow devices to cool naturally in a shaded, well-ventilated area and seek professional repair if swelling or malfunction occurs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We used to see people putting their phones in rice, which is another common misconception,” — Jamie Farnell, Shropshire Phone Repairs
- “Now people are seeing these tips where people are putting phones in the fridge or freezer, but it's not safe to do it.” — Jamie Farnell
- “If you put it in, there is a risk of moisture that can get in the phone and then when it does dry out the moisture or the condensation turns into water.” — Jamie Farnell
- “The problem isn’t the cold itself – it’s what happens when a warm electronic device is exposed to a cold, humid environment.” — Jamie Farnell
- “Fires start when thecell gets damaged,most commonly by it being crushed or pierced.” — Electrical Safety First
- “However, if devices like phones overheat, the internal structure of the battery can break down, charity Electrical Safety First said, sometimes causing a reaction known as thermal runaway, which can quickly affect adjacent cells and cause lithium batteries to catch light.” — Electrical Safety First
