How a Tragic Incident Changed a Young Girl’s Life and Raised Vape Safety Concerns
A devastating accident has left a seven-year-old girl, Ruby Grainger, blind in one eye after a suspected vape battery explosion. The incident occurred in Tallaght, Dublin, as Ruby was walking home from an ice cream van on October 5. While passing a bonfire in her housing estate, battery acid from a nearby vape pen exploded, striking Ruby’s right eye and causing severe, life-altering injuries.
A Mother’s Worst Nightmare
Ciara Grainger, 32, Ruby’s mother, described the terrifying moment she heard her daughter scream. “She was hysterical; all I hear is screaming,” Ciara told The Irish Mirror. I might have passed out when she arrived at the house. Her face was streaming with blood. In a panic, I pressed her to my chest and called for an ambulance.
After being taken to Tallaght Hospital, Ruby was then sent to the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, where medical professionals conducted urgent surgery. Unfortunately, the vape battery acid did so much damage that they had to remove her eye.
The Severity of the Damage
Doctors think that the vape pen’s battery acid is what caused the harm. Ciara described the eyeball as being similar to mashed potatoes. According to medical experts, this was the first instance of such widespread damage from a vape battery fire because casualties from explosions had been less serious in the past. The injury was even more catastrophic than anyone could have imagined because it affected Ruby’s entire eye socket.
Evidence Confirms Vape Battery Explosion
After the accident, a family member discovered remnants of burnt-out vape devices near the bonfire, confirming the source of the explosion. The remnants left little doubt that a faulty vape battery was to blame for the tragic injury.
Life-Altering Consequences
Ruby’s injury has changed her life in profound ways. Beyond the immediate trauma, Ruby faces long-term challenges. Doctors are hopeful that they can fit her with a prosthetic eye in six weeks, provided her eye socket heals well. However, the accident has left Ruby with more than just physical scars.
Ruby will never be able to play like she used to, her mother Ciara explained. She has to learn to balance again due to having a blind side, and the biggest change is that she can no longer see out of her right eye.
Vape Battery Safety Concerns
This tragic incident has raised questions about the safety of vape batteries, especially when they are improperly discarded or exposed to extreme conditions, such as near a bonfire. Vape batteries, particularly lithium-ion ones, can overheat and explode if exposed to high temperatures or when mishandled.
Preventing Future Incidents
To prevent such accidents from happening in the future, it’s essential for vape users and the public to be aware of the potential dangers:
- Dispose of vape batteries properly: Never leave vape batteries near flammable materials or in hot environments.
- Be cautious near bonfires: Vape batteries should never be exposed to direct heat sources like fires or intense sunlight.
- Educate yourself on vape safety: Vape users should understand how to handle and dispose of batteries safely to avoid catastrophic accidents.
Final Thoughts
Ruby’s story serves as a tragic reminder of the potential dangers of vape batteries, especially when they are improperly handled or discarded. While Ruby bravely faces a life of adjustments and challenges, her story highlights the urgent need for increased awareness around vape battery safety.