by Inji Kim
As of Oct. 26, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is officially banned from all Drew resident halls and campus buildings as a precaution to potential fires as a result of the hazardous batteries. The lithium-ion battery of the newest Galaxy has been found to burst into flames or cause damage when overheated, usually while or immediately after charging.
The e-mail sent out by William Ortman, Director of Campus Safety and Security, to all Drew community in the morning explained that the Madison Fire Captain advised that “these phones pose a fire safety hazard on campus.” Other campuses in New Jersey have already experienced fires; Rowan and Montclair State Universities have had fires and an injury due to these batteries.
There has been an official recall issued on the phones by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission since Sept. 15. The University apologized for any inconvenience this new ban brings to individuals who own the phone. However, Ortman stressed the fact that “in a community living environment, the safety of all is of paramount importance.”
Any Drew member who owns the Galaxy Note 7 is advised to follow the official recall instructions, which can be found at the following link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2016/09/15/what-you-should-do-if-you-own-samsung-galaxy-note-7/90432998/
