Researchers are urging consumers to take extra care when using generic phone chargers, following a study carried out at the University of Michigan.

The research highlighted several cases in which users received serious burns and electric shocks from the devices. One case highlighted by the study involved a 19-year-old woman who was severely injured when her off-brand charger touched the end of her necklace electrocuting her and causing second degree burns to her neck.

Dr Carissa Bunke, who led the study, said: “Generic phone chargers can cause burns or electrocutions. Teens and adolescents are particularly at risk of injury due to their frequent mobile device use.

“They should be advised to not sleep with their phones or mobile devices charging in bed and avoid leaving the charger plugged in when it is not connected to a phone.”

• Deliveroo Acquires Cultivate, Plans to Open Edinburgh Tech Office
• Facebook Backs Research into AI Mind Reading Technology
• Apple Workers ‘Regularly Hear Confidential Details’ Via Siri Recordings

Another incident cited in the study involved a man who was thrown from his bed by an electric shock he received from his off-brand charger. “Even with a low-voltage device, if the current is high, then the electric shock can be severe,” Bunke added.

The study follows research by Electrical Safety First, which discovered a number of dangerous issues with generic chargers. Out of the 400 generic iPhone chargers tested for electric shock safety risk, 22 samples were immediately damaged during the testing process, while 99% failed.

Due to this alarming result, researchers are strongly recommending that people use branded chargers when possible and, as a safety measure, ensure that the charger is not plugged in when not in use. However, it should be noted that iPhone maker Apple has a certification process for third-party chargers of their products, which in theory should make them safer.