charging station Archives

Bursting into flames: Protect yourself from lithium-ion battery hazards

Powering my cellphone? A lithium-ion battery. E-bike? Lithium-ion. Same goes for my iPad, MacBook, electric toothbrush, portable battery pack. I could go on.

The same goes for your tech. As it starts to warm up, we need to talk about safety. Fires from our little gadgets can get out of control quickly.

Here’s the know-how to protect yourself from a major battery blow-up. And, yes, it’s the reason I’m very particular about where I keep my e-bike.

Hot battery horror stories

Lithium-ion batteries squeeze a ton of battery life into a tiny package. But they’re made with flammable materials, making them even more dangerous when misused or improperly stored.

Larger tech, like e-bikes and EVs, use much bigger batteries than a smartphone. So when a fire happens, yup, it’s way more dangerous.

Flammable materials inside the batteries can experience “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction that essentially puts a battery in an uncontrollable, self-heating state. That’s when explosions happen.

Thermal runaway gets triggered by a number of things, like a battery being overheated or punctured. It can also be caused by an electrical fault, like a short circuit or manufacturing defects. That’s why I always warn you to stay away from cheap tech!

Battery safety 101 for laptops

Don’t leave your laptop in a hot car, by a sunny window or near a portable heater.
If it feels hot, shut it down and give it a break. Pop out the battery if you can.
Consider using an app to monitor your laptop’s temperature in real time. CoreTemp and Real Temp for Windows are good options. Anything higher than 176 degrees Fahrenheit is bad news.

Have an old phone or other device with a lithium battery? Don’t just toss it in a drawer. It’s worth buying a fireproof bag to store it.

Battery safety 101 for e-bikes

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Is filling up a gas tank or charging an EV battery cheaper?

Let’s get ready to rumble! In this corner, we have our reigning champion: Gas cars. They’re reliable, affordable and tried-and-true.

In this corner, showing up brand spankin’ shiny and new are electric vehicles (EVs). They’re great for the environment and the government is comin’ in hot with incentives to get you to buy one.

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Good stuff you’ll use all the time

From smart gadgets to handy accessories, these deals were too good not to share.

Portable phone charger: Never get caught with a dead battery again. (Under $25)
Wireless hand massager: Three levels of compression, combined with soothing heat, make this the perfect remedy for tired hands after hours at the computer. (Under $70; cheaper than a massage!)
Magnetic phone mount: Good for when your car doesn’t have a decent spot built in. (Under $15)
LED night-lights: This six-pack has dusk-to-dawn sensors so they auto-illuminate dark places in your house. (Under $10)
3-in-1 Apple charging station: Charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods in one spot. (57% off!)
Wi-Fi extender/booster: No more dead zones when you plug in this puppy! (Under $25)
Power strip: This one has six outlets and three USB ports, so no more fighting for an outlet. (Under $12)

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

You or a loved one switched to an iPhone 15? The right and wrong chargers

OK, honesty time: I bought the new iPhone 15 Pro Max. I opened up my fancy $1,600 smartphone to realize … it was the same as the iPhone 14 Pro Max I was already using.

The big (only?) change I can spot is the charging port on the bottom. After all these years, Apple is ditching its Lightning cable for the one every other tech company uses for charging and data transfer: USB-C. Some new AirPod models are getting the same treatment.

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Don't let what happened to Mary on vacation happen to you: Essential travel safety tips

My friend Mary was on vacation in Rome with her 14-year-old daughter. During their visit, they stopped to take selfies. Spotting their struggle to fit themselves and the grandeur of the backdrop in the frame, a seemingly kind stranger — a man in his 30s — offered to take their picture.

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I need a better way to …

Clean the blinds. Use this microfiber tool made for the job and only $7.
Charge all my stuff. Grab a handy charging station with five USB slots.
Track my weight for the doc. Smart scales do it for you.
Get organized. Love this huge pack of different-shaped sticky notes for 55% off!
Stay hydrated. This 90-serving container of electrolytes is cheaper than the single-serve packets and they taste great.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Last-minute Father’s Day gifts

This wireless 3-in-1 charging station is sweet and works with iPhone 8 models all the way up to iPhone 15.
For the handy dad, a laser tape measure he’ll play with like a kid on Christmas. (Be sure to click both coupons for a total of 20% off!)
A cool Carhartt insulated bag is perfect for the office, the lake, the car or anywhere else he goes.
No one likes warm beer or soda. Love these freezer glasses that’ll keep his beverage of choice ice cold.
OK, I want this … Press the Dad Joke 3000 to hear, yep, a dad joke (20% off!).
A smart dashcam on sale for $39.99, and check the box for another 10% off!
A phone stand with a built-in Bluetooth speaker so he can watch his shows and hear the dialogue.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Little green gadgets

Like literally green, not “green.” For fun!

Long-range green laser pointer. Bet Abby would love to chase this light — dogs prefer green to red!
Herb scissors for quick-snipping green onions, chives and other herbs. I used mine today to put basil in my soup!
Bright green collapsible kitchen funnels you can find easily in a drawer.
Neon-green fishhook knot-tying safety tool — no more hooks in your hands!
Magnetic charging station in a vibrant emerald shade. Who says these have to be boring?

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

‘What do I get my picky (fill-in-the-blank)?’

Hey, let’s make gift shopping easier. Bet they’ll like something on this list.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Valentine’s Day gifts for your man

Wi-Fi smart weather station because he always wants to know
Charging station for his tech since you always steal his
Nice bag for all his toiletries
A jerky bouquet (elk, buffalo and venison) sure beats flowers
Fancy chocolates for his sweet tooth
Put your face on a pair of boxers — so funny!

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

8 tech security products everyone should own

Technology can make life better, but it can also expose personal information and destroy your privacy. While you should be aware of the dangers of hackers, the very manufacturers who make your products also collect data. To protect yourself from digital threats, you’ll need each tech security product on this list.

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8 Google Maps tips to ease your holiday travels

Have you done all your holiday shopping? We’ve got you covered if you’re having trouble finding the perfect gift for that special someone. Tap or click here for 10 great gift options to spoil your favorite person.

December is flying by, and you’re probably making holiday travel plans. Whether you’re flying or driving, it always helps to be prepared.

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3 clear-cut signs your iPhone charging cable could catch on fire

Over the last few years, there have been several instances where mobile phone chargers or batteries caused a fire. For example, a girl went to bed last year while her iPhone charged next to her.

Awoken by flames and suffering from burn wounds, she later explained that her charger caught fire and ignited the blanket. While she claims it was an official Apple charger and cable, several investigators blamed cheaper knock-offs and third-party accessories.

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Product recalls: USB outlet, golf cart and tea kettle can cause injuries

Product recalls aren’t just inconvenient. Failing to rid yourself of a faulty device may be extremely dangerous. Tap or click here for a list of recently recalled products every consumer should know.

Fortunately, the most reputable companies behind our favorite products are often highly forthcoming regarding newly-detected perils plaguing consumers.

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How to find free electric car charging stations across the U.S.

We love our cars, but it isn’t easy to justify the joys of driving when gas prices are still at an all-time high. We all feel the pinch at the pump, but some of us feel it more than others.

While driving habits, vehicle maintenance and weather factor into fuel efficiency, your car has the most significant impact on how many miles you’ll go on a gallon. Tap or click here for the top 10 most expensive vehicles to top off.

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Upgrade from your ratty old charger - Try one of these charging stations

Everyone gets new gadgets for the holidays, and you know what that means. Yep, everyone will be taking, losing or hoarding all the chargers.

Avoid the charger battles with a few space-saving docks and stations. Keep them in a centralized area so everyone can power up their devices when they need to, and you never have to worry about lost or damaged cables again.

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CES 2021: 8 things you'll wish you could buy now

CES 2021 just wrapped up in Las Vegas, and it was a good one. Not only was this consumer tech show virtual for the first time in history, but it was also the largest digital tech industry event.

This year’s CES event featured nearly 2,000 exhibitors, from tech giants to scrappy startups. Most of these exhibitors made big announcements about all of the cool new tech gadgets that will be hitting the market this year. These 5 show-stopping smart devices were just a few to debut during CES 2021.

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Fix life’s little annoyances with these 20 products under $20

Imagine all the annoyances you used to deal with as a kid that have disappeared thanks to new technology. For example, you don’t have to struggle with long phone wires when talking to someone. Portable smartphones made that little annoyance disappear like mist in the sun.

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5 must-have accessories for AirPods owners

Now that Christmas is over, you’re probably on the hunt for accessories to go with all the tech gadgets you got. Those new toys weren’t cheap, and you need to make sure you have what you need to protect them.

That goes for nearly all of your new tech gadgets. Whether you got a new iPad or tablet, an upgraded phone, a laptop, or a smart speaker, there’s a way to protect it. These accessories for your new Apple tech can help you get started.

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The best accessories for your new Apple tech

There’s nothing quite like getting a new tech toy. The shiny exterior of a new iPad or the lightning-fast navigation on that new Mac makes receiving a new toy or two for Christmas so enticing.

You may have even asked for an upgrade to your Apple gadgets for Christmas this year or snagged a few on Black Friday. The iPhone 12 Pro or one of the new iPads made great gifts. There’s plenty of new Apple tech to choose from now that new watches, iPads and other Apple gadgets are on shelves.

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