Smart door lock explosion sparks fire and safety concerns

A recent video circulating online captured an electronic door lock explosion that caused a fire at a residential flat in the mainland, sparking concerns over the safety of the widely utilized home appliance.

A clip widely shared by netizens shows the incident from December, where a smart lock becomes deformed and smoke seeps through the gap of a door.

Reports indicate that the explosion was triggered by spontaneous combustion related to an issue with the lithium battery, which then caused flames to spread to nearby flammable materials.

Home inspector Lai Tat-ming said the electronic door lock explosions are extremely rare. However, he emphasized the importance of paying attention to quality when purchasing such locks to avoid accidents.

Lai suggested that consumers should purchase smart locks that come with national 3C certification or the European CE marking while ensuring the lock is designed with flame-retardant materials.

He also advised the public not to be tempted by inexpensive products from online platforms as the quality varies widely and authenticity is difficult to verify. 

Additionally, he stressed that the locks should only be assembled or repaired by professionals.