Q: I recently saw a story on TV about a young man whose cellphone ignited. He was treated for severe burns. Were there any other details from that story, and how did the phone ignite?
—Frank Martire, Duluth
A: There have been several reports of cellphones exploding or igniting, including earlier this month when a Kennesaw boy suffered third-degree burns on his arms and legs from a cellphone explosion. Raymond Segars, 9, accidentally dropped his aunt's phone into a backyard fire, and it exploded as he tried to retrieve it, WSB-TV reported. He was treated for burns at the Grady Burn Center. Earlier this year, a Minnesota eighth-grader was burned on his leg when his cellphone exploded in his pocket while he was in class. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said this summer that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented more than 60 incidents of cellphone batteries smoking, catching fire and exploding, including one exploding in a Texas man's ear, according to the New York Daily News. He has called for an investigation into cheap cellphone batteries. The CPSC recommends avoiding incompatible batteries and chargers, and not leaving phones in places where they can become overheated.
Q: When can you get your driver’s license renewed? Do I have to wait until it expires?
—Eddie Webster, Douglasville
A: A Georgia driver's license or state-issued ID card can be renewed up to 150 days prior to the expiration date or if the license has not been expired for more than two years, according to the Department of Driver Services.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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