A word of warning for absent-minded iPod users: do not put it in the washing machine. And if you do, certainly don’t stick a screwdriver in it.

That’s the advice of fire investigators probing a small explosion that burned a hole in the bed of a Melbourne teenager who tried to perform digital resusitation on his freshly laundered iPod.

The boy was treated by paramedics at his home for breathing difficulties after ingesting fumes emitted by the device as he pulled it apart in his suburban bedroom at about 19:30 local time on Wednesday.

An Australian fire service spokesperson said: “His mother did the washing and the iPod was in the clothing so it went through the washing machine.  It wasn’t working, the young fella tried to undo it or fix it with a screwdriver and at that stage there was an explosion, or more of a pop.”

The hapless victim was treated on the scene for minor breathing difficulties but he was not admitted to hospital. 

The leaky iPod was taken away by firefighters for testing.