Business & Technology
Mouser warns on heatwave risks to phones & chargers
Mouser Electronics has warned consumers not to leave four common gadgets in direct sunlight during the UK heatwave: phones, wireless speakers, wireless headphones and portable chargers.
Prolonged exposure to strong sun can cause overheating, battery damage and, in some cases, create a fire risk. Many modern devices include thermal cut-off systems that switch products off when temperatures rise too far, but users should still move warm devices into the shade or power them down.
Mark Patrick, Director of Technical Content at Mouser Electronics, said the warning was aimed at people spending long periods outdoors during unusually hot weather, whether in parks, gardens or on day trips. The guidance focuses on products commonly carried outside and left exposed while in use.
“With high temperatures across the UK, lots of people will be looking to spend time outside, whether that be having a BBQ, picnic in the park, or going sunbathing. However, it’s important not to leave popular tech gadgets such as phones, wireless speakers, portable chargers, or wireless headphones in direct sunlight for too long without risking damaging them, or worse, creating a fire hazard. Although most modern electrical devices usually contain a thermal cut-off to protect cables and devices, meaning the item might automatically turn off if it’s getting too hot and then only come back on once it’s cooled down, you should still follow steps such as shading the device or turning it off when it feels warm to mitigate these risks,” Patrick said.
Phone risks
Smartphones were highlighted as one of the most exposed devices because they are often used continuously outdoors for messaging, calls, photography and streaming. Direct sunlight can push handsets beyond safe operating temperatures, with consequences for both the battery and stored information.
Overheated phones may shut down automatically, interrupting use and increasing the risk of data loss. Users are advised to move a warm phone into a shaded place such as a bag, remove any protective case and either switch the handset off or place it in aeroplane mode until it cools.
Battery strain
Portable wireless speakers were another area of concern. These products typically rely on lithium-ion batteries, which can degrade more quickly when exposed to heat during charging or playback.
Sunlight can add to the heat generated during normal speaker use, reducing the battery’s ability to retain charge and causing it to drain faster over time. Mouser also warned that ultraviolet exposure can bleach the outer finish of some speakers, adding cosmetic damage to the risk of shorter battery life.
Consumers are advised to switch speakers off when they are not being used and store them away rather than leaving them on patios, picnic blankets or garden tables. If a speaker remains in use, it should be placed in a shaded area.
Headphones and chargers
Wireless headphones face a different set of issues because, in addition to batteries, they contain compact internal microchips that support functions such as Bluetooth connections. These parts are sensitive to heat exposure and may short-circuit if temperatures rise too high.
Mouser also cautioned against charging overheated headphones immediately after sun exposure. Some batteries will slow or stop charging as they attempt to regulate temperature, so users should allow the product to cool first.
Portable chargers, often carried as backup power on long days out, were identified as another product category with heightened heat sensitivity. Like speakers and phones, many power banks use lithium-ion batteries.
Users should watch for any bulging in the casing of a portable charger if it has been left in direct sun. This can indicate internal heat build-up and may point to permanent damage.
The warning comes as hot weather increases scrutiny of battery safety in everyday consumer electronics. Small portable devices are now widely used outside the home for work, communication and entertainment, but their compact batteries and sealed casings can make them vulnerable when temperatures rise.
For businesses in the electronics supply chain, the advice also reflects a broader issue around how consumers handle products in extreme conditions. Retailers and manufacturers have long relied on automatic shutdown systems and charging controls to reduce harm, but user behaviour still plays a central role in limiting wear, preserving battery health and avoiding failures.
Patrick’s advice was simple: “If your phone gets warm, put it in a shaded place like a bag, remove any protective casing, and turn it off or switch to aeroplane mode.”
Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.
The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.
To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.
Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.
Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.
The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.
The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.
A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).
“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.
What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?
“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”
The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.
The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.
Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.
An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.
What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?
Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”
It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.
Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”
The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.
This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.
Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.
“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.
“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.
“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”
The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.
Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.
However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.
All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.
They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.
With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.
The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.
Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.
The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.
If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.
The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.
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