News Scrap

A California teenager was left with severe injuries after a vape device exploded in his face, leading to multiple surgeries and the amputation of parts of his fingers.

Fifteen-year-old Aiden Dean Adams of Bakersfield had been warned by his parents about the dangers of vaping. Despite their concerns, the teen secretly used the devices, often hiding them in his room. On one fateful day, while attempting to fix a malfunctioning vape near his home, Aiden struck it against the ground and brought it to his mouth—just before it exploded.

“Boom! A big flash is all [Aiden] remembers,” his father, Robert Dean Adams, recalled.

The explosion caused shrapnel to cut Aiden’s face and left his hands mangled. He managed to flag down a passing driver to get help. When he returned home, his parents were horrified at the sight of his injuries.

“The palm of his hand was just turned inside out… digits were hanging, a lot of tissue exposure, and you could see bone,” Robert said.

Emergency surgery saved Aiden’s thumb, but parts of his middle and index fingers had to be amputated. Doctors expect him to recover in the coming weeks.

Aiden’s father expressed outrage over the growing popularity of vaping among teenagers, calling for more awareness about the potential risks, including the possibility of explosions.

“These things can get into the hands of kids and have a highly explosive possibility. People need to know about it and be educated,” Robert said.

According to the FDA, while vape fires and explosions are rare, battery-related issues have been linked to these incidents. The agency has launched an informational campaign to help consumers avoid similar accidents.