When parents decide their child is finally ready for a personal cellphone, the reasoning usually centers on convenience, responsibility, and security. The device becomes a tool to coordinate school, practices, extracurriculars, and emergencies. Rarely does the average parent consider that a phone — one of the most familiar objects in any household — could create unexpected safety risks when paired with a charging cable.
Yet that was the reality for one Illinois family in 2016, when an accident involving a new phone, a charging cord, and a metal necklace left a 13-year-old girl with a burn injury. Nearly a decade later, the story is still widely discussed online, not because such accidents are common, but because they highlight how little most people know about electrical safety when it comes to handheld devices.
In an era where children often use their phones constantly throughout the day, understanding how and when to charge them safely has never been more relevant. This incident offers an entry point into a much broader conversation about chargers, cables, electrical currents, and responsible device use — something that affects every household, whether or not they have experienced an accident firsthand.
The Day Everything Changed
According to interviews given at the time, Illinois mother Jackie Fedro said 2016 was the year her daughter, then 13-year-old Gabbie, received her very first personal phone as a Christmas gift. The phone — an LG model — was meant to help the family stay in touch amid Gabbie’s increasingly busy sports and school schedule.
“She had reached the age where she was going to more practices, more rehearsals, more activities,” Jackie told BuzzFeed. “One of the reasons we finally gave in and bought her a phone is so we could keep in touch more easily.”
Like most teens, Gabbie quickly incorporated her new phone into daily life. Then one afternoon, while using the device as it charged, something unexpected happened: a sudden electrical discharge traveled up the cable, reached the phone, and then transferred to a metal necklace she was wearing. The contact generated enough heat to burn the skin where the necklace rested.
Gabbie was treated and recovered, but the experience left the family stunned. Jackie later described the incident as something she had never imagined could come from an everyday device she assumed was safe in all circumstances.
How Can a Charging Cord Cause an Injury?
Electrical engineers note that small shocks or discharges can occur when a charger, phone, or cable malfunctions — especially if:
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The charging cable is damaged
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The cord’s internal insulation is compromised
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A charger is counterfeit or lacks safety certification
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The user is wearing metal jewelry
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The phone is being used heavily during charging
In Gabbie’s case, investigators concluded the current most likely originated from the charger or cable, then traveled into the necklace due to its conductivity. While the injury was serious enough to require medical treatment, experts emphasize that such accidents remain uncommon.
However, the incident highlights a reality many consumers overlook: not all chargers and cables are equal, and not all electrical interactions are obvious.
Why Using a Phone While Charging Can Increase Risk
Using a device while it charges is not inherently unsafe, but it does increase certain risk factors:
1. Heat Buildup
Running apps, games, or video chat while charging causes the battery to work harder, raising temperature. Heat can weaken cables or create unstable electrical movement.
2. Cable Stress
If a child uses the phone while plugged in, the charger often bends, twists, or pulls at awkward angles. Over time, this can damage the internal wiring or reduce insulation.
3. Decline in Charger Quality
Many households use unofficial third-party chargers bought cheaply online. These may lack voltage regulation or proper grounding.
4. Conductive Jewelry
Necklaces, bracelets, headphone wires, or metal objects near the body can unintentionally conduct heat if a small electrical discharge occurs.
5. Wearing the Device Against the Skin
Holding a phone under a blanket, lying on top of it, or resting it against the neck while it charges reduces airflow and increases heat.
Individually, these factors might not cause issues, but combined, they increase the risk of electrical mishaps.
What Experts Say About Safe Charging Habits
Consumer safety organizations, including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), recommend several practical guidelines:
Use only certified chargers
Always choose accessories from the phone’s manufacturer or those with UL, CE, or FCC certification. Many cheap chargers online lack essential internal components that regulate electricity.
Don’t use visibly damaged cables
If the cord is frayed, bent, melted, or exposes metal wiring, it should be replaced immediately.
Avoid long gaming or video calls during charging
Light use is fine, but extended use can create temperature spikes.
Keep metal jewelry away from charging cables
Necklaces or bracelets can become unintended heat conductors.
Don’t charge in bed or under pillows
Soft materials trap heat and dramatically increase the temperature of both cable and phone.
Unplug once fully charged
Continuous charging generates unnecessary heat.
Teach children how to identify unsafe signs
This includes feeling excessive warmth, hearing buzzing from the adapter, or seeing discoloration on the plug.
Why Stories Like This Matter for Parents — Even Years Later
Although this incident occurred in 2016, parents continue sharing it because it represents a scenario that feels familiar: a child using a phone in the most mundane way possible, unaware of hidden risks. In a world where children often sleep with their phones, charge them near their beds, or use them constantly, raising awareness remains important.
The lesson is not that phones are dangerous — they are overwhelmingly safe when used properly — but that some charging habits need closer attention. For many parents, this situation opened a conversation they had never thought to have.
Teaching Teens and Preteens Responsible Tech Use
Children and teenagers often view their devices as extensions of themselves. They use them while lying down, carrying them around the house, multitasking, or relaxing with earbuds tangled around their jewelry.
Because of this, experts recommend parents discuss:
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Checking cables before use
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Avoiding metal necklaces or bracelets during charging
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Allowing the device to charge in an open, cool space
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Recognizing warning signs (heat, sparks, unusual smell)
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Using original accessories
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Avoiding charging a phone on a couch, blanket, or carpet
These small adjustments can dramatically reduce the likelihood of electrical issues.
Expanding the Conversation: Not Just About Phones
Safety experts emphasize that the lessons from this story apply to a wide range of devices:
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Tablets
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Laptops
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Portable gaming systems
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Wireless earbuds
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External battery packs
Any device powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries carries similar charging considerations.
A Wake-Up Call, Not a Cause for Panic
The goal of sharing stories like Gabbie’s is not to alarm, but to inform. The injury she experienced was serious but rare — and, most importantly, preventable with better awareness.
Phones remain one of the safest household technologies. When paired with certified accessories and used responsibly, incidents like these become extremely unlikely.
But as the number of devices in each home grows, so does the need for education about electrical safety. Gabbie’s experience continues to circulate because it illustrates how everyday habits — ones most adults never question — can be improved with simple precautions.
