E-cigarettes can be injurious too, e-cigarette explosion causes serious injuries to 46-year-old

In what could be alarming news for e-cigarette smokers, a 46-year-old British man named Oscar Khan suffered serious burns to his leg after a vaping device burst into flames in his trouser pocket, Daily Mail Online reports. Khan shared photographs of his burn injuries and said his right leg may have to undergo plastic surgery.

According to the report, Khan tried to douse the flames after the vaping device exploded in his trouser pocket. His wife, however, got him into a shower and ran cold water on to him in an effort to extinguish the fire. Khan described he was in his home at the time the explosion took place. He further described of hearing a sound he had never heard before. When he looked down, he found out that his leg was on fire.

This is what Oscar Khan had to say:

“There were literally flames on my leg. For the first few seconds, I didn't know what to do.”

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Khan describes he was taken to Leicester Royal infirmary for treatment where he was told of another person who suffered a similar accident. While it has not been confirmed what caused the explosion, Khan suggests it may have been the battery. 

People are adviced to buy e-cigarettes from reputable outlets by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. It almost warns that faulty or bogus chargers for e-cigarettes have caused house fires in the past. Hence, it is important that one uses the correct charger for the device and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Users should also refrain from overcharging these vaping devices.

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Daily Mail Online quotes the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents as offering the following advice:

“As with other electrical devices like mobile phones and laptops, e-cigarettes should not be charged or used if they've been damaged - battery cells that are damaged pose a chemical and fire risk.”