{
  "id": 11429610,
  "title": "Why sleeping with your phone under your pillow is a serious safety hazard",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/why-sleeping-with-your-phone-under-your-pillow-is-a-serious-safety",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-02T11:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/technology/gadgets/2026-10-02-why-sleeping-with-your-phone-under-your-pillow-is-a-serious-safety-hazard/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2026, smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives, with most individuals finding themselves attached to their devices throughout the day. However, when it comes to bedtime, it is crucial to separate ourselves from our digital companions. Keeping a smartphone under the pillow for sleeping, while commonplace, presents a significant safety hazard. The devices run on lithium-ion batteries, which necessitate proper ventilation for dissipating heat. When trapped under a pillow or blanket, the excess heat has nowhere to escape, transforming your device into a potential fire hazard. As the battery heats up, it can swell, rupture, or even ignite while you are asleep. This risk intensifies if the phone is charged overnight, as the charging process generates extra heat. If you are a fan of having your phone within arm's reach, place it flat on a solid surface like a nightstand instead. Additionally, although health experts assert that non-ionizing radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted by cell phones has not been conclusively proven harmful to humans, minimizing direct body contact remains a prudent precaution. Turning your phone into Flight Mode overnight—unless you need to receive emergency calls—reduces ambient signal transmission and helps preserve your battery’s long-term health. The best approach is to keep your phone far from your sleeping vicinity. Positioning it across the room creates a physical barrier, discouraging late-night checking during your usual sleeping hours. Of course, sleep issues are commonly linked to late-night scrolling habits. To address this, harness the full potential of the built-in Digital Wellbeing (Android) and Screen Time (iOS) features. Setting strict daily app limits establishes clear boundaries for healthy tech usage, helping you unwind without distraction.",
  "summary": "Storing your smartphone under your pillow overnight can lead to dangerous battery overheating, fire risks, and disrupted sleep habits.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}