Is it *SAFE* to use genuine Apple accessories? I am worried about getting electrocuted like that girl in China...
About 8 months ago, I bought a $20 genuine Apple Lightning cable from Best Buy. Recently, the coating/insulation around that cable has begun to disintegrate.
I usually charge my devices with an Amazon Lightning cable, so this Apple cable was seldom used. It stayed on my desk at work, sometimes in direct sunlight (depending on time of day), and was used maybe 1-2 times per week to charge various iDevices. As you can see from my pictures, the Apple cable is still in pristine condition at the USB end, which is the end that gets MUCH MORE "wear and tear (I only have one USB outlet that I often share with a coworker to charge our various phones, tablets, kindle, cameras, portable scanners, printers, etc).
What should I do? Am I at risk for getting electrocuted like that girl in China? Is this a potential fire hazard?
I called Apple today and expressed my safety concerns, but they told me that because my separately purchased iPhone is 1.5 years old, they would need to charge me $20 + tax and shipping to replace this defective 8 month old cable. I was told that there is NO WARRANTY on Apple accessories.
