Apple IPOD mini 4gb 2nd gen. silver--read this-safety issues.

First, let me explain that I got one from opening a bank account so the cost ($0) does not influence my opinion of this product. The brand new one the bank send me worked for just a few weeks and became difficult to turn on. I visited the local Apple store and they diagnosed the problem as a bad hold switch and replaced it with a refurbished one. That worked for about 11 months and then the battery would not hold a charge for more than 15 minutes or so. The Apple store told me I could either leave it with them to send out for testing or have Apple send me a mailing box for direct shipment...either way was going to cost me $32.40 with tax WHICH IS A RIP OFF. I never had to pay to return a product before which was faulty. The turnaround time was very fast..a mailer arrived the day after I called and I had another refurbished IPOD mini in about a week. The day after I plugged the IPOD into my laptop, is a day I won't forget. After about 5 minutes, the IPOD got hot..very hot..I looked at the screen and the inside display was melting..I unplugged it and let it cool..and I called Apple the next day. They had about a dozen questions--was I hurt--were there flames, etc. They said they'd send me another return box so I could I return the IPOD for yet, you guessed it, another refurbished IPOD...I was quite angry they would not at least send me a new one. I informed them that this particular item could have burned down my house and I would report it to the appropriate government agency. I also emailed my concerns to them and got no response. The replacement they sent me seemed to work without melting but I no longer wanted it or have it..I instead got a different brand, with a replaceable aaa battery and I am very happy with it. The moral of my sad tale is this: DO NOT LEAVE THIS PRODUCT PLUGGED IN TO RECHARGE UNLESS YOU ARE PRESENT AND DISCONNECT IT IF YOU LEAVE THE ROOM. I contacted the US Safety Commission and received a letter that they will be contacting me this week. It seems most people are very happy with their IPOD mini but since I had 3 within a year, I don't share their favorable impression.