iPhone cable can cause burns, Korean agency says

SEOUL, April 17 (UPI) -- South Korea’s government consumer agency asked the Korean division of Apple, Inc. to warn customers that they could sustain burns from using the battery recharging cable of the iPhone 5.

The Korea Consumer Agency said that since 2013, there have been three reports of second- to third-degree burns to users of the “lightning cable” -- a wire used to transmit data and charge the iPhone 5 battery.

The agency noted its own experiments and indicated the cable is capable of burning skin after use for 30 minutes, and that Apple’s user’s guide does not mention the risk.

“The lightning cable should be separated from the devices at all times when not in use,” an agency official said. He added the agency notified Apple of the findings, asking it to take necessary steps.

An Apple official said the company was investigating the matter but was unaware of any safety issues resulting from normal use.

[Yonhap]