Apple is warning Chinese customers to avoid using fake third-party chargers and other accessories. The warning arrives just weeks after a charger issue caused electrocutions to two customers.
On its website, Apple offers two photographs, one of a real Apple iPhone 4 charger and the other of a real iPhone 5 charger.
The posting arrives after a female in China was allegedly electrocuted while answering her iPhone. The smartphone being used was plugged into a third-party Apple charger.
Several weeks ago another electrocution put a Chinese man into a coma after he attempted to plug in his iPhone 5 to a third-party charger.
Apple had promised to fully investigate the iPhone electrocutions but has yet to issue a follow-up statement.
In one case, electrocution victim Ma Ailun purchased a third-party iPhone charger that was designed to look like a real Apple product.
Apple is specifically warning Chinese customers to avoid third-party chargers. The country has a history of allowing sub-par products on the market. Because of lax regulation, Apple third-party devices in China vary in their level of safety and quality.
The iPhone electrocutions began just months after safety consulting and certification company UL issued a strong warning against counterfeit Apple USB charger. In the company’s declaration, UL noted that the knock-off chargers suffer from low quality builds and dangerous defects.
Here are the two photos that Apple released showing customers how to spot iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 chargers:
US customers shouldn’t fret too much about third-party chargers; in the United States, proper safety standards are implemented for all devices manufactured and imported into the country. With that being said, you probably shouldn’t buy your Apple iPhone charger from a seedy street sale or through an online auction on eBay if the device will be arriving from outside of the country.
Are you worried about the safety of your third party Apple iPhone charger or other accessories?
