Across Nigeria, there's a common belief that using a phone in the kitchen — especially while cooking with gas — can cause an explosion. You'll often hear people say, 'Don't make calls near the gas!' or 'That's how people blow up their houses!'

But here's the truth: science doesn't support that claim.

The Myth: Phones and Gas Explosions

The myth says that the small electrical spark from a phone can ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion. On the surface, it sounds believable — after all, gas is flammable, and electronics use electricity.

However, modern smartphones are sealed devices. The small electrical activities inside them are well-contained. For a spark to ignite gas, it must occur externally, in direct contact with a concentrated gas-air mixture. Phones don't emit open sparks under normal use — not when you're calling, texting, or scrolling.

Even the rare cases of spark generation, such as when plugging or unplugging a charger, happen within the socket, not in open air.

So, how likely is a phone spark to cause an explosion? Let's look at the science.

The Science: How Likely Is It Really?

1. Likelihood of a Phone Spark

Modern phones are designed to prevent sparks. Under normal use:

• They operate at very low voltages.

• Circuits are enclosed in plastic or metal housing.

• Any electrical discharges are internal.

The chance of an external spark happening from a functioning phone is practically zero — estimated at less than 1 in tens of millions of usage hours.

2. Likelihood of a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are uncommon in well-maintained kitchens, but they do occur — from loose connections, worn hoses, or partially turned knobs. Statistically, this happens in a few homes per thousand each year.

3. Combined Likelihood: Spark + Leak + Perfect Timing

For a phone to ignite leaked gas:

1. There must be an active gas leak.

2. Gas concentration in the air must reach the explosive range (5-15%).

3. The phone must produce a spark in the right place at the exact right moment.

When you multiply those probabilities — a rare leak × an even rarer spark × perfect timing — the result is astronomically low.

That's why there are no verified cases worldwide of a phone directly causing a domestic gas explosion.

In short: phones don't cause kitchen explosions — electrical faults and gas leaks do.

A Real Story That Explains It Better

A man once shared his story online. He said his kitchen exploded while he was using his phone. Before the explosion, he recalled feeling 'magnetised' to his cooker — his hand and body seemed to stick to it. Then he dropped his phone, and moments later, the gas cylinder exploded, leaving him badly burned.

At first glance, it seemed like the phone caused the explosion.
But when he later mentioned that his cooker was a dual gas-electric model, the real cause became clear.

He wasn't magnetised — he was electrocuted.
The metal body of his cooker had become electrically live, likely due to poor earthing or a wiring fault. When he touched it, electric current flowed through his body, locking his muscles — a common symptom of electric shock.

The dropped phone or the spark from the faulty cooker may have ignited leaked gas, triggering the explosion.

So, while a phone was present, it was merely a bystander, not the cause. The real danger came from electrical leakage meeting flammable gas — a deadly combination.

The Real Dangers in Nigerian Kitchens

1. Electric and Gas Cookers in the Same Kitchen

Using electric and gas appliances side by side increases risk:

• A single electrical fault can energize metal parts.

• If gas leaks nearby, any small spark can trigger a fire.

Keep them properly spaced and ensure strong grounding (earthing).

2. No RCD or Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker

An RCD (Residual Current Device), also called an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker, automatically shuts off power when it detects a current leak to metal surfaces or a human body.

Without one, a person can be electrocuted simply by touching a faulty appliance.
Every home with an electric cooker should have an RCD installed — it's one of the simplest ways to save lives.

3. Gas Cylinders Inside the Kitchen

Storing gas tanks inside the kitchen is common but extremely unsafe.
If gas leaks, it accumulates in the enclosed space, waiting for any spark.

Cylinders should be kept outside, with a metal or rubber hose running to the cooker. That way, leaked gas disperses into the open air instead of forming a deadly pocket indoors.

In Summary

The Nigerian kitchen explosion myth blames phones — but the science tells a different story.
Phones are not the cause. The real threats are:

• Electrical faults from hybrid cookers,

• Absence of RCDs, and

• Gas cylinders stored indoors.

So, while it's wise to stay focused and avoid distractions while cooking, you don't have to fear your phone igniting your kitchen.

Instead, invest in safe wiring, proper grounding, and better kitchen design. That's how to keep your home — and your story — out of the news for the wrong reasons.