It’s been reported today that a man in the US died when his vaping pen blew up and sent shards into his skull, killing him. The man also suffered burns over 80% of his body in a fire caused by his exploding e-cigarette device. The post-mortem recorded his death as accidental.
What caused the explosion?
The vaping device he was using had been modified, giving him more access to the battery and did not regulate the voltage in the same way as other e-cigarettes. In an interview, the manufacturer said the cause of the explosion could have been the mouthpiece, as well as the battery.
How safe are vaping devices?
The same news report states that between 2009 and 2016 there were 195 incidents of explosions or fires involving an e-cigarette in the US, according to the US Fire Administration. These incidents resulted in 133 acute injuries, of which 38 were severe.
The US Food and Safety Administration gives the following safety advice:
- use vaping devices with safety features, like protection against overcharging
- keep vaping devices covered and away from loose coins and batteries
- use only the approved charger that came with the vaping device to charge it
- replace batteries if they get damaged or wet
- don’t charge vaping devices overnight
Talk to a specialist broker about insurance for your vaping business
While this incident occurred in the States, it could just as easily happen in the UK and demonstrates the risks vaping manufacturers and retailers are exposed to. If you run a vaping business it’s important that you have a detailed conversation with a broker who knows and understands the market. Anthony Jones are one of the few brokers with specific experience in the vaping market. We are the approved broker to the IBVTA and provide insurance and advice to a broad range of businesses across the sector. Fill out the quote form on our website or get in touch either by calling us on 0208 290 9080 or emailing us and we’ll make sure you get appropriate cover for your business at the most competitive price available.
It costs nothing to get a quote and we could save you time and money in the long run.
