Lithium-ion battery-caused fires suggest precautions be taken

While such batteries power devices that many have become reliant on, and are generally safe enough to not raise concerns, the Fire Safety Research Institute states that these types of batteries do have a likelihood of overheating, leading to catching fire or even explosion.

Grayson Smith, fire prevention officer at Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services, said that measures can be taken to avoid these kinds of accidents.

“When it comes to using battery operated devices, use the proper charging cords, manufacturer’s recommendations- follow them — don’t try to modify batteries,” he said.

“A lot of times if we can remove the human error out of it by following those proper procedures, we can minimize the risk of fires actually happening with these types of devices.”

Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services advise that only batteries designed for a certain device should be used.

It said that people should only use devices that have a label from a qualified testing lab, devices or batteries should not be placed in direct sunlight or kept in hot vehicles and people should stop using a battery if they notice an odor, change in colour, change in shape or odd noises emitting from the device.

“If they’re damaged, they start self-generating heat. And similar to what we would see in, let’s say, if we had oily rags that spontaneously start self-heating and can lead to fire, it’s more the reaction and the release of the product,” Smith said.

“So let’s say the toxic gases, when they do fail, and they can fail quite dramatically. There’s lots of YouTube videos out there where you have, let’s say, scooters, anything like that failing catastrophically. And yeah, a lot of times it’s very violent, very aggressive.”

Smith stressed that the opportunity for early detection is crucial when it comes to potential fires starting.

Being away from home or even asleep while charging a battery is discouraged as action likely won’t be taken as soon as necessary.

“That’s why it’s really important to not sleep with, let’s say, your phones under your pillows, especially when charging. The charger blocks get hot. Again, we don’t wanna have them right next to combustibles because they do have to release that heat somehow,” he said.

“And if we have them insulated with pillows or blankets or anything like that, it can really help to prevent that heat from dissipating, causing the potential for a fire. So again, when charging, just be really careful with phones.”

by Jayk Sterkenburg

Lithium-ion battery-caused fires suggest precautions be taken

Our Community