SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Explosion / rupture

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20130420-48F53-2147456788. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Matched catalog product: Apple iPhone. Source model text: iPhone 3gs. Incident: iPhone 3gs was stored on a shelf with no liquid anywhere near it. When I looked at it today, it had basically expanded all by itself, so that the glass screen had separated from the body by about 2cm in some spots, though it was still adhered to it. I learned that there is a not-so-uncommon phenomenon of the batteries failing and essentially bursting. I consider this not only a product defect, but more imporantly, a serious safety hazard. I have no use for the iPhone at this point and it's not even salvagable by replacing the battery. I was informed by a friend who used to work for Apple that I should immediately place it in a [REDACTED] bag because the innards of the battery are TOXIC and that I should then take it to the Apple store ASAP as they actually have safes designated for this to store the items while awaiting disposal. They also stated that on at least one occasion in this person's store that they had to make a rush trip to the ER in response to just ONE of these devices behaving in this manner while in the store. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE from a company as reputable as Apple. Aside from their knowledge of this defect, this is just irresponsible and should result in some sort of repercussions for putting public health at risk. I have a small child and had she been using it at the time it decided to self destruct, I would be far more livid.