It’s #FirePreventionWeek. Did you know the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that lithium-ion batteries cause over 2,000 fires each year in the United States?
Lithium-ion batteries store a significant amount of energy in a compact space. These batteries can overheat, start a fire, or explode if overcharged or damaged, and Lithium-ion battery fires aren't your typical house fire.
When these batteries fail, they undergo what experts call "thermal runaway"—an uncontrollable chain reaction that creates temperatures reaching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, far exceeding the 1,500-degree temperatures of typical fires. These blazes burn faster, hotter, and release toxic gases that can be deadly in enclosed spaces.
By learning how to buy, charge, and recycle these batteries safely, you can help prevent a fire in your home.
🔥 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬. When purchasing a product that utilizes a lithium-ion battery, look for a safety certification mark, such as UL, ETL, or CSA, which means it meets essential safety standards.
🔥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐲. Always use the cords that came with the product to charge. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Buy new chargers from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved. Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when the device is fully charged.
🔥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲. Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire. Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you.
Resources to learn more about Lithium-Ion battery safety
→ https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week?utm_source=nextdoor
→ https://www.usfa.fema.gov/a-z/lithium-ion-batteries?utm_source=nextdoor
→ https://www.levinsimes.com/blog/lithium-ion-battery-fire-statistics?utm_source=nextdoor
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Post each question as a separate comment on the post above to seed conversations and increase reach and engagement:
→ Do you follow the safety recommendations above? If so, all of them, or which ones?
→ Have you or does someone you know experienced a fire involving a lithium-ion battery? Is that so? What happened?
→ What questions do you have about lithium-ion batteries? We do our best to find the answers for you and report back.
