I heard on last nights news that there was a house burn down due to a laptop that had been left on the bed. I have tried to use my laptop on my lap but it's just to impossible to hold there and type as well. I have never used in on my bed. What they said was there are ventilation openings on the bottom and the computer should always be used on a hard surfice. Have you ever left your laptop on the bed?
[question posted by Grandmaof2]
responses and comments:
Hi there, before i used to put my laptop on my bed. My hubby told me that its not proper to put it in the bed because it will heat and cause burn. Since then i remember it and dont put it in bed, now my laptop is in one place only anyway keep on mylotting [kmaram]
the laptop has the 'cooling' vents onthe bottom of it.. NO i hav never left it on thebed....Likeyou i canot type on it unless it is on a hard surface.. that is good to know though thank you..lori [dumblnddzzy]
hi dear yes most of the time i will do like this hmmmmm [sunilparthan]
Hard surface is one thing, but even then laptops can overheat. Plenty of laptops especially with age, they require a cooling unit which goes underneath the laptop and typically inclines the laptop at an angle. There is good reason you have limited use of your laptop on your lap ironically, since some laptops can burn you depending on the build, heat dispersion, what you are doing with the laptop. As for the bed issue, you don't leave it on the bed due to the innate heat absorption and Insulation properties of items on the bed (blanket, comforter, even the bed itself). The heat simply accumulates on the items and can cause the laptop and battery to overheat. Typically its the battery that causes a fire due to overheating or short circuit. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/dell-battery-fire.htm And now for your question. Even knowing all of the above, I have indeed left my laptop on the bed. However this was only when I got up to get something like a drink. Never left the laptop on the bed, turned on, all night. [theprogamer]
I leave my laptop on my bed all the time. In fact, she's up there now... Oh, sorry, wrong type of laptop... lol =^..^= [BarBaraPrz]
My semi husband does not use his except on a tray table while he plays poker online. He doesn't take it to the bedroom to use, that I know of. Of course I have not seen him in 5 1/2 months so that could have changed. My daughter has a cooling thing which she puts under her laptop while she is on it, which is ALL day long and half the night... I don't think it is wise to leave one on for long periods since they do get very hot. But that's just me. [jillmalitz]
Hi, good post for the laptop new users. Most of Laptop has air vents on bottom which has to kept in a hard place and should have a air flow at bottom. Now a day laptop is having air vents on sides also and this type can be kept in beds. It better to keep in a harder surface and have air flow to it and work proper and have long life to it. [bvijayks]
U be careful, Grandma. I don't have a laptop so that's one worry i don't have. I hope alot of people that do see your discussion. Have a great weekend. [ANTIQUELADY]
wow... it is hard to believe that the heating of the laptop could coz a fire like that, the temperature was high(i wonder how high) but what ignited it i wonderconfused... you cannot expect sparks to fly around in a laptopw00t, i think some chain of events led to the fire... the ventilation outlets must always have a nice clearance off the surface for cooling and yeah it should be kept on some hard surface..... have a nice day Grandma!cool [voldrox]
i have many of times but i always move it after i was done. that is surpising! think about it a $250 laptop destroying a about($100k) house. it is hilarious! but nevertheless, a tragedy. [kb5000]
I had a laptop one time that kept running hot, I would use it on a desk, never on my lap or on my bed, I had to keep a fan blowing, on my lap top because it kept running hot, well I got tired of doing that, I just got rid of my laptop and brought me a desktop computer which I like better.happy [notlistening2]
no but I do know they get very very hot on the bottom we even got putting it on something to raise it up so it wouldnt get so hot! [Lakota12]
I don't use a laptop myself, I don't really like them that much, I prefer desktops. Anyway, it is true though that a laptop should be used on a hard surface otherwise it will overheat and this could cause it to crash! In the case of the fire relating to the laptop, chances are all the vents were blocked and it was totally forgotton about. Andrew [AndrewFreyne]
Really? What's the difference of putting your laptop on your knees and your bed. To be honest I don't believe it. I usually stay in my living room when I use my laptop. I sit on sofa and put my laptop on my lap. I feel comfortable with this position. But today I was too tired due to long walking yesterday. I almost could not get up. So I brought my laptop to my bed and used it for a day. Just now I saw the discussion and I felt shocked. Are you sure the reason is that you said or the media said. I can not find out any logic between the line. Ok, I will not use my laptop on my bed. Not because of the reason we are talking, the reason is that I don't want to feel I always stay on my bed, never get up.lol [sblossom]
No it is true...I did use my laptop on my lap at one point but it was hot under neath, so i got one of those little stands its small but it has vents under it and it lets your laptop breath....I now have one with a fan so mine stays cool all the time...They can get very very hot...if they are sitting on a bed completely smothered under neath , they can catch on fire....It has happened many times... [slickcut]
I will let all the affairs of the world when I was going to sleep, that is enough proof, that I will not bring anything except the clothes on the bed. :D keep Laughing [zanragtg]
yeah i have left my laptop on the bed too many times but it does not catch fire.there is no harm to use the laptop on the bed but if u are using the laptop frequently u should place it on a hard surface [praveen057]
I found out the hard way not to put my laptop in my lap. I have a little round burn scar on my leg. The funny thing is I didn't even feel it when it was burning. I now have a laptop tray just for laptops. I guess it could cause a fire if left on the bed where there is material that can easily catch fire, after all they do get pretty hot after being on for hours at a time. [Kowgirl]
Its difficult to do anything sitting on a bed. I've tried playing cards, writing, eating and some others and it just never works out well. You need a table to hold the object of your attention up to you. [Bluepatch]
I have and it does get hot, I didn't think it would get hot enough to start a fire. I have fell asleep with my laptop on my lap and have gotten light burns but they go away not long after I get up and get moving around. [mzz663]
I have a desk top computer. I do know that laptops should only be used on a hard surface. Just a few days ago I went over to my daugters house, my granddaughter had left the laptop on the couch. I got after her about it and had her feel how hot the bottom of it was. You can buy cooling fans and pads for using with laptops. They call them laptops but that is deceiving because you really shouldn't use the computer on your lap. using it for short periods of time is ok, but not for long periods of time. [Polly1]
processors do generate a lot of heat. that is why computers/laptops have small fan/s to circulate air which i turn keeps the processor cool. so you need proper ventilation. in the case that you mention putting laptop on bed blocks all ventilation resulting on overheating of processor and that is a bad news. moreover laptops are not designed for extended use unlike PC. so one should be careful. [sunny68]
Never! I have seen a few computers go up in smoke even when placed on appropriate surfaces. I also don't leave them unattended as many people do nowadays. If I'm leaving home I turn it off. (I also do not operate a computer during a thunderstorm, having learned once the hard way what can happen ;-( [drannhh]
I just got one and only have used it on a table.....I am not coordinated enough to use it in bed.....besides I certainly don't want it in bed with me...even if it hums! LOL... [jillhill]
Most laptops become quite warm even under the best of conditions. Just not enough room to properly ventilate it. Some are worse than others. One of the first things to know about a laptop is the ventilation problem. If you have no ventilation openings in the bottom of your computer they you are good to go but very few if any do not. Perhaps some of the smaller ones but I have not seen them. The fire is not at all surprising. [jbrooks0127]
No I always used my laptop on a table. Most importantly every week I use a blower to keep the ventilation areas free of dust. I had a fan quit on one of my laptops and it cost $250.00 to get it replaced. [whiteheather39]
Hi there!happy I don't work on my laptop on my bed. If I would I place it over a book to let the heat come out under the laptop. It's very important not to trap the heat cause the laptop gets too hot at some point and it can give bad result for the laptop itself. It's also impossible for me to be typing on my bed cause wrong posture while working on my laptop gives me backaches. I use a table and chair when I type. Right now I am using a cooling pad. It cools the laptop and at the same time protects it. Ciao!wink [iskayz]
That was just uncalled for..They have a mesh like stand for a laptop & they are not high in price and you can get them anywhere even "Walmart"....I have one with a fan in it & my daughter has one with vents(mesh vents)..Laptops get very hot & just left on a bed i can surely understand how it could get hot enough to catch on fire...It also is good for your computer as well, if left flat all the time the heat under the laptop can damage your laptop....Those laptop computers have to be able to breath or they will get very hot.... [slickcut]
No I do not. In fact I have a stand for it on my desk that is supposed to keep it more ventilated as it has a pocket in it that is vented. It also can be used on a bed or soft surfaces. [Barbietre]
Maybe it's too hot, so became exploded. For safety, just keep it on hard surface [detrazzz]
I have left my laptop on my bed hundreds of times, and nothing bad has happened. Now that I heard about this, I will defiantly leave my laptop on hard surfaces only. There were most likely other factors that had to have started that fire. A single laptop, is not that strong to start a blaze, unless there is an electrical issue that is actually inside of the laptop itself. [levyx22]
Hi Friends!before using electric goods we have to main some precautions,don't left the laptops and systems on beds and other valuable things. If laptops are left on the bed it is dangerous due beds are made up with coir pith so its very firable even little amount of fire so dont left the laptops on beds Thanking You Happy mylotting. [raviapts]
If you want to use your laptop on anything other than a hard surface, perhaps one of those cooling fan pad things would be helpful. I hope you guys know what I'm talking about. [EpicCyndaquil]
oh my, thats dangerous, thanks for the heads up, ill keep track of it next time, if i ever get a laptop that is, ^_^, sorry, i dont have a laptop with me, but ill warn those of my friends who do have one and use on the bed, [jziakhan]
it is a little hard to believe that a laptop can cause a fire ,also i always use my laptop in bed. Anyway, there are some products that can help cooling down the laptop and also to use it in the comfort of your bed .. first, cooling pad which have ventilation fans that can keep the laptop cool and in top performance, second , there are some kinds of cushions and tables that are made so that you can use the laptop in the comfort of your bed. Thanks for opening the discussion, Abdel. [abdelrahman_tech1]
I definitely would not use my laptop on my bed. It gets to warm to use it on my lap most of the time! What I have bought from QVC is a laptop stand with a built in fan that I plug into one of the USB ports when it is on, and it really does keep it much cooler. It also raised the keyboard a little so that it is more comfortable to use. happy - Derek [derek_a]
ya i had left my laptop on bed a lots off times. but i have never overcome like these things in my entire life.. this is the first time am hearing about this incident.. anyways i would take this as a precautionary thing and practise not to leave laptop on my bed [ajayrocks111]
oh my goodness that is a horrible thing to have happened. i've used my laptop while sitting on the sofa and lying in bed. i've also placed my laptop on my bed while using it. thank goodness nothing bad happened so far. it does get uncomfortably hot after a few hours of usage. maybe i'm lucky that the ventilation opening of my laptop is on top instead of on the bottom. even so, i won't be leaving my laptop on the bed for a long time. i wouldn't want to burn down my home. shockedshocked [applefreak]
Since i bought my Compaq laptop i make sure i do the right thing of using it for safety use.I dont even try to use it on my bed,because laptop really need ventilation they need air to breath.I even open my electric fan to make the space a bet cooler.happy mylotting my friend. [joezon50]
lol, that's all i can say about this.. & No, i don't use my laptop on my bed just because i don't even have one. If i had one, i still wouldn't do it because it's just very dumb! [ThaDunky]
hi grandmaof, My usualy position to use laptop is to sit on sofa and put my both legs on a chair and then put laptop on my lap. Thats how i use it. Also i do yes use it on bed an lie in front of laptop on my tummy and do it but it can cause a lot of backaches if you do it regularly for long hours so i prefer sofa now. I didnt know laptop can burn down a home..this looks too far fetched unless that house has everything highly inflammable including bed sheet.. i dont think if it is cotton bed sheet, it would catch fire. [agrim94]
this must be true, since it heats up as it is being used, and if the ventilation openings on the bottom are covered then it will heat up faster and more you can use it on your lap but leave the ventilation openings uncovered (which is what I do) and about the bed, if you want to use it on a bed try to put some hard surface beneath it like a textbook or a board I usually put down a textbook on the bed :D [DrRac0]
Hi Grandmaof2happy Waw! I never know this before! Thanks for your info! Sometimes I do it whenever I want to watch DVD. I think my bed is perfect place to watch dvd. I can lay on my bed with my pillow and bolster while watching. Actually I realize that my bed getting hot and so my laptop, but I was think it's normal.. I won't do that anymore! Thanks for this valuable info, Grandmaof2lol [ChrysanTflower]
i didn't know it could catch fire!! but i knew if you didn't want to overheat/melt your processor you had to keep those ventilation slots open and free of blockage.. I have used my laptop IN my bed, but i always put it on one of the kids big books or a cutting board.. something/anything that would keep it steady and the holes on the bottom unblocked. [Sissygrl]
I can see that happening - theres alot that come into the shop that get VERy hot just sitting on the bench. I do use my laptop on my bed however i have a cooling pad with fans that is in between the bed and the laptop and when the laptop isnt in use it is turned off so it doesnt get the chance to do that! If it does get left on i leave it on the computer desk or the table. [saundyl]
I used it on my bed sometimes but but when I do it's not for long. It does get really hot! Even using it in your lap you'll see why you shouldn't do that; it gets SO hot and could actually cause burns. [Chachafance]
Laptop computes have been an revolution ever since its creation.All are after them and electronics industry has been so keen in advancing every feature of it to the maximum efficiency.In terms of the safety at use,the development is going on,an electronic device must be bought only after looking for the branded tag of the company you prefer,because these days there are fake one's around to trap us. Working with a laptop in places with irregular surfaces and bad condition in every aspect increases the risk of a damage to both the laptop you are at work with and to you as a person.Addiction to use also has problems with using laptops. l [tintukm]
I think they should complain to the manufacturer about that matter because they can't give a good battery and make sure the specification is shorted free. In my views is that no laptop can happen to burn a house if the manufacturer will not sell any defective items. Since I don't have laptop, my friend is my share to your discussion...have a good day! [aerous]
That's strange that it caused a fire. How sad. I use mine on the bed once in a while but I always make sure there is plenty of ventilationhappy [K46620]
I go to bed to get AWAY from my laptop! :) But seriously, you really need to work on a hard surface with any computer. Even our desktop machine gets hot if the papers on the desk cover up the ventilation holes around the base unit. I think that computer companies should build in a temperature gauge that does an save and hard shutdown if the computer is getting too hot. [dld999]
I never use a laptop on just the bed alone I have always put something solid under it since it can get hot if the vents are blocked so it can't get good air to keep it cooled. I don't use them on my lap either if I can I try to use them only on a table. [mtdewgurl74]
I had a lap top at one of my jobs. They made me read and sign a paper saying that it must always be used on a hard surface, where the air vents were, and that I promised not to obstruct the air vents at any time. I worked at different desks on different floors and in different buildings as an outreach person. One time, I was at a cluttered desk and the computer started to get hot. I shut it down. It was a hot day, but the junk on the desk was obstructing the air vents. I'm sure it would have caught fire if I hadn't shut it down. I picked up my lap top at work, went to outreach, and then brought it back to work. Was not allowed to take it home. So on a bed was not an option, thankfully or I probably would have tried it. [writersedge]
It sounds very logical. I do know people who use it while in bed but I'd think that's a little uncomfortable. Personally, I need some back support so do better with a desktop computer where I can sit on a chair with some support. I have a laptop that is about 15 yrs. old so it's not being used. Just sits idle on the floor. Didn't like the mouse or other features but it got our youngest child through college. [carolbee]
Hi,grandmaof.It is the first time that I have heard this news.I am using desktop now.So I don't need to worried about this problem.When I turn down the computer,I would cut off the power too. [mickly08]
Oh my. I never did know this. I do not have a laptop computer but my sister and a friend of mine does. I will have to let them know about this. Thanks for sharing this with all of us. That is dangerous. [stephcjh]
Hi Grandma... The only problem with the bed is that it is fairly soft.. and the vents don't get to breath because they get partly covered up on the bed when it sinks down into the bed. I tried it..now I have a wooden tray that I keep it on when I use it in my bed. When I am not in bed, but in my BR, I sit in my chair and use the tray to prop up on the bed and I have it just right where I can type. I can see where a laptop could cause a fire because they can get hot if they are not allowed to vent. Mine stays cool. When I am done with it for the night I put it on my dresser. I make sure I turn it off and let it rest... but other than that I use my laptop all the time. [OreoCookie3]
Hello, No, me personally I have not ever used my laptop while in bed, I don't think I ever will, it is far more comfortable for me to use my laptop on my desk. Make sure you have a good day, Happy Lotting!! [EliteUser]
I can see that happening because a lap top computer gets so hot very easily and quickly and heats up the surface below it. When I was using my hubby's lap top, I'd put it on the table with some thin boards under it so the vents can vent well and keep it cooled down. [CatsandDogs]