A SMALL BIG MISTAKE

A couple lost their 25 year old son, Arun Gopal Ratnam, in a fire at home on June 4th. The son who had graduated with MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison two weeks earlier had come home for a while. He had lunch with his dad at home and decided to go back to to clean up his hostel room.His father told him to wait, to meet his mother, before he went back for a few days. Arun decided to take a nap while waiting for his mom to come back home from work.

Some time later their neighbors called 911 when they saw black smoke coming out of the house.Unfortunately, 25 years old Arun died in the three year old house. It took several days of investigation to find out the cause of the fire. It was determined that the fire was caused by the lap top resting on the bed.

When the lap top was on the bed cooling fan did not get the air to cool the computer and that is what caused the fire. He did not even wake up to get out of the bed because he died of breathing in carbon monoxide.

The reason I am writing this to all of you is that I have seen many of us using our lap top while in bed. Let us all decide and make it a practice not to do that. The risk is real. Let us make it a rule not to use the lap top on bed or put the computer on bed with blankets and pillows around.


Safety recommendations

✔ Always operate on a hard surface that allows ventilation. Soft materials can block the airflow vents and cause it to overheat.

✔ If it is not possible to avoid using a soft surface, an optional heat-sink base should be used to maintain cooling.

✔ Always shut down your laptop, even for short periods of time, especially when placed in a carry bag.

✔ Inspect and clean the air vents on a weekly basis. Forced-air dusters can be used to keep the vents clean and free from debris.

✔ Replace any equipment or parts that do not work.

✔ Using a laptop desk or cooler to allow air circulation between the laptop and the desk.

✔ Visit the Health Canada recall listings website to see if a laptop has been recalled.

✔ Review the manufacturers' website for additional safety tips and recommended maintenance. 

"Please pass to everyone you know, you might save one's life"