The average modern UK household has many items containing lithium-ion batteries – these are batteries that can be recharged and range from mobile phones, e-bikes and scooters, vacuum cleaners, even tablets, iPads and ear pods.
These batteries can be extremely dangerous, if not handled and cared for properly. However, there are simple measures you can make to keep you and your family safer and reduce the risk of fire:
- Let your lithium battery powered Tech run flat on a regular basis and recharge from flat to maintain battery health.
- Always use the charger that came with your phone, tablet, or e-cigarette. If you need to replace your charger, always choose the correct branded product from a trusted supplier.
- Avoid buying cheap chargers online, there are a lot of fakes on the market, and it can be difficult to spot the difference, (buying cheap chargers is never cost effective in the long run!).
- Do not charge batteries that are damaged, dented, crushed or puncturing. Never charge if the battery had been dropped in water.
- Don’t leave items continuously on charge e.g., don’t leave your phone plugged in overnight, (or under a pillow / on the bed charging).
- Don’t charge anything in a corridor or room that provides the only means of escape.
- Make sure there are working smoke alarms in your home and in any room where charging takes place.
- Only charge in a room where you can close the door to prevent smoke spread.
- In the event of a fire, get out, stay out, call 999
Thank you to Matt Humby, Alison Tully and Sarah Need from Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service for this video.
Video Transcript:
We're from Hertfordshire fire and rescue service did you know that the average modern UK
household now has many items that contain lithium ion batteries these types of batteries can be recharged ranging from mobile phones to e-bikes, e-scooters vacuum cleaners and even children's toys at home and the size of the battery has a direct impact on the potential dangers posed to you however by making a simple change to how you charge your devices this risk can be greatly reduced hot for cheer fire and rescue service have created this video in conjunction with fire chief Global to provide you with some real-life examples of the potential dangers surrounding Lithium-ion batteries as well as simple changes you can make it to keep you and your loved ones safe when the lithium-ion battery fire starts it goes from nothing to scary in only a matter of seconds producing Jets of flames and huge quantities of Highly toxic gases which include hydrogen cyanide that can render a person unconscious within only a few breaths.
The smoke is created so quickly and in such large quantities that it can completely fill a room or Corridor before your smoke detectors are even able to alert you to the problem by making some simple changes when items are put on charge you'll be greatly increasing your chances of escaping should a fire start we recommend that you should not charge items such as mobile phones or tablets under pillows or on beds you should avoid charging devices overnight when anyone is asleep you should not charge anything in a corridor or room that provides your only way out of your home ensure there is a working smoke alarm in every room where charging takes place and charging the location when you can close the door to prevent smoke spread in the event of a fire leave immediately and do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself call 999 ask for the fire service and do not attempt to re-enter the premises remember simple changes save lives further information relating to lithium-ion batteries can be found at batteryfiresafety.co.uk
