title: Burns resulting from spontaneous combustion of electronic cigarettes: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) sales have grown rapidly in recent years, coinciding with a public perception that they are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, there have been numerous media reports of fires associated with e-cigarette spontaneous combustion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three severe burns caused by spontaneous combustion of e-cigarettes within a 6-month period were treated at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Burn Unit. Patients sustained partial and full-thickness burns. Two required hospitalization and surgical treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-cigarettes are dangerous devices and have the potential to cause significant burns. Consumers and the general public should be made aware of these life-threatening devices.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA USA.
authors.forename: Clifford
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sheckter
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA USA.
authors.forename: Arhana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chattopadhyay
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paro
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA USA ; Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Regional Burn Center, 751 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128 USA.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Karanas
keywords: Burn; E-cig; E-cigarette; Electronic cigarettes