Seen At 11: Shocked -- How To Keep Yourself Safe From Exploding E-Cigarettes

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) --- The U.S. Fire Administration has documented dozens of e-cigarette explosions around the country -- some more damaging than others.

Evan Spahliner, 21, was put into a medically-induced coma after his electronic cigarette exploded while he was smoking it.

"I found my brother not breathing with his whole face burned and his neck burned," his sister, Jenny, told CBS2.

Jennifer Ries was also injured from an e-cigarette when it burst into flames as she was charging it in her car. Reis' dress caught on fire, and she suffered burns on her thighs and buttocks.

"The battery started shooting fire toward me and then exploded and shot the metal pieces onto my lap," Ries said.

Reis sued the e-cigarette retailer and manufacturer, alleging the product was not safe. The jury ruled in her favor and she was awarded nearly $2 million.

"When a company, regardless of who it is, puts a product into the market place it should be safe," Gregory Bently, an attorney, said.

So, why does this keep happening?

According to Spike Babaian, owner of e-cigarette store Vape NY, most accidents happen when the batteries overheat when charged by the wrong charger -- something that Babaian said is easily preventable.

"Buy a proper charger that's intended for e-cigarettes that will cut off at a proper time and not overcharge your batteries," Babaian said.

For fire sciences expert Glenn Corbett, the real problem is lack of industry regulation.

"It makes it almost a guarantee that they're gonna be used in an improper manner and that's a problem, a major problem," Corbett said.

As Sphalinger fights for his life, his sister says he had no idea of the potential for disaster -- and that others will learn from his story.

"We want people to know the risk and dangers, had Evan of known maybe he wouldn't have chosen to smoke the electronic cigarette," his sister said.

A spokesman for an e-cigarette trade group said that explosion incidents are taken very seriously, but millions of people use the products safely as an alternative to smoking cigarettes.