Prevent lithium battery fires: use certified parts, do not leave batteries charging unattended, and watch for signs of damage or overheating. Call 9-1-1 if fire starts.
Know how to safely care for, replace, and re-charge lithium batteries, which are common in household devices.
Berkeley has had eighteen fires linked to lithium-ion batteries involving e-skateboards, e-scooters, and e-bikes since 2023. Although incidents are down in the city, these dangerous fires continue to happen around the region and nation.
Simple tips can help keep you and your household safe:
- Use the original manufacturers’ chargers, batteries, or replacements and store them away from extreme heat, cold, and other flammable items.
- Charge batteries directly in an electrical wall outlet for only as long as it takes to reach a full charge, then disconnect from power source.
- Watch warning signs of battery overheating like swelling, leaking, odd noises, smoke, or unusual odors. If you see any of these, don’t touch the device. Evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1.
Lithium battery fires often start without warning, spread fast, and burn for extended time periods. If a fire breaks out, evacuate the area immediately and call 9-1-1.
Use only certified batteries and chargers on the current list from the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. Charge batteries safely in an open space and stop using or replace any battery that shows signs of damage.
Use certified batteries and parts safely
“Lithium-ion powered devices like e-bikes and scooters play a key role in shifting toward more economical and sustainable transportation,” said Fire Chief David Sprague. "To stay safe, we need to handle, charge, and store these batteries with care—just like any powerful technology.”
Always use chargers, batteries, and replacement parts provided by the device’s manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and caring for lithium batteries
Ensure all devices, batteries, and components are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL). Batteries tested by these labs undergo rigorous evaluation for fire and electric shock safety. These items will include a label from an approved lab and are designed to operate safely under normal use.
Charge with care and spot early warning signs
Lithium batteries can overheat, short circuit, or catch fire due to a chain reaction that causes heat buildup from overcharging or overheating. These hazards increase when batteries wear out or when multiple devices are stored together.
Know what signs to look for when charging or storing your lithium batteries:
- Changes in battery’s color, shape, or size
- Any leaking, extreme heat, or swelling
- Odd sounds or odors, smoke, sparks, or flames released while charging
Fires from lithium batteries can release toxic fumes and spread incredibly fast. Fire extinguishers are often not effective in these electrical fires. Do not touch a battery or device once you notice signs of damage or if smoke or gas is present, or if sparks or a fire has started. Instead, evacuate the area and call 9-1-1 immediately.
Use these safety tips when charging e-mobility devices like electric bikes, skateboards, or scooters to reduce the risk of electrical fires.
- Charge your battery safely in an open space, away from exits, hallways, and flammable objects and disconnect from the power source once fully charged.
- Stop using any worn batteries, with defects such as swelling, dents or water damage and replace parts only with genuine manufacturer parts.
- Keep batteries separated from each other and away from other flammable or explosive materials to prevent chemical reactions.
Recycle and dispose of lithium batteries safely
Lithium battery contents are highly toxic, dangerous, and flammable and should be treated with care. Some lithium batteries are classified as hazardous waste, while others can be discarded by taking them to battery recycling centers.
If batteries are swollen, dented, or otherwise damaged in any way, they should be disposed of immediately at a drop-off location you can find through Stop Waste.
From charging lithium batteries to disposal, use simple tips to reduce the risk of fire. Follow manufacturer and device instructions, use safety tips, and notice early signs of battery stress. Once a fire has started from a lithium battery or device, immediately call 9-1-1.
Links
- Multilingual Lithium Battery Safety Flyer (New York Fire Department)
- Lithium batteries and fire protection (National Fire Sprinkler Association)
- Videos on Lithium battery fires :
- Verify Battery Safety with list of recognized testing labs (U.S. Department of Labor)
- Dispose batteries safely (stopwaste.org)
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