The Setagaya Ward in Tokyo reported that four incidents of smoke from keyboard cases for tablets in public elementary and junior high schools occurred this month, but no injuries were reported.
The Setagaya Ward in Tokyo announced on the 16th that there have been four incidents this month of smoke emanating from keyboard cases used for tablet devices at all public elementary and junior high schools in the area. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries among the children. The ward has requested an investigation from the manufacturer regarding the issue.
The keyboard cases involved in these incidents are produced by the American company Belkin and are designed to attach to tablets from different manufacturers, allowing them to function as keyboards. Since their deployment last year between July and September, approximately 55,000 units have been distributed to 61 elementary and 29 junior high schools, with each student receiving one for personal use.
Authorities are taking these incidents seriously, as the safety of the students is paramount. The repeated occurrences of smoke may raise concerns over product safety, leading to broader implications for the use of such technology in school settings. The investigation's findings could potentially influence future procurement decisions and policies regarding educational technology in public schools.
