Learn how to forestall lithium-ion battery fires in your house

These days, lithium-ion batteries are in most on a regular basis devices. From cellphones and e-bikes to vape pens and electrical toothbrushes, you in all probability use a minimum of just a few of those every day.

Whereas most of us use these merchandise with none points, Adrian Flux underwriters are seeing a rise within the prices for patrons claiming on their house insurance coverage because of lithium-ion batteries inflicting fires to interrupt out of their properties.

While one underwriter reported fewer claims from 2023 to 2024, the declare prices shot up by round 133.63%, showcasing the rising severity of fires brought on by lithium-ion batteries. One other underwriter account noticed the variety of claims enhance by 250% over the identical interval, and the prices concerned with such claims rose by a whopping 1,188.32%.

Given the sheer variety of devices that use most of these batteries, it’s essential that you’re conscious of the dangers and warning indicators so you possibly can act shortly. Right here we offer every part that you must know to remain secure.

How secure are lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion battery fires and different security dangers are comparatively uncommon. They normally solely turn out to be unsafe when they’re used, saved, recycled or manufactured incorrectly.

E-bikes and e-scooters are typically extra liable to catching hearth, particularly in the event that they’re post-market conversions to electrical, together with these you’ve transformed your self. Some hearth and rescue providers have reported a rise within the variety of battery-related fires, with over 80% of those involving e-bikes.

Why do lithium-ion batteries catch hearth?

Understanding why lithium-ion batteries catch hearth will assist forestall this from occurring to you. These kind of batteries are liable to what’s referred to as ‘thermal runaway’. This can be a chain response the place extreme warmth generates much more warmth, and finally results in a fireplace breaking out or an explosion.

Thermal runaway is usually brought on by any of the next:

• Overcharging
• Bodily injury to the battery
• Storing or charging the gadget in excessive temperatures
• Utilizing the unsuitable charger
• Defective or uncertified batteries

What can I do to maintain secure?

There are a variety of the way you possibly can assist forestall lithium-ion battery fires and explosions.

Watch out for counterfeit merchandise

The market is sadly flooded with low-cost, uncertified and counterfeit lithium-ion batteries and chargers, particularly on-line. These usually lack correct security mechanisms and are a serious reason behind fires. Whereas these may appear to be a cut price, the truth is that the chance is solely not price it.

At all times purchase alternative batteries, units or chargers from the unique retailer. There have been some reviews from clients that chargers they purchased on-line by seemingly reliable third-party sources (reminiscent of through Amazon) resulted in a fireplace.

Because of this, it’s normally higher to err on the facet of warning and purchase your alternative chargers from the unique retailer. Though these are sometimes costlier, they’re usually lots safer.

The identical is true for electrical car cost factors: be sure to purchase these from a licensed producer, and depart the set up to an knowledgeable.

When shopping for alternative gadgets, all the time make sure the product has respectable security certifications too. For a brand new charger, this can come within the type of a CE mark, which signifies that the gadget meets EU security requirements.

Don’t depart the gadget charging in a single day or unattended

Home fires from lithium-ion batteries are sometimes brought on by the battery overheating. That is extra more likely to occur if you depart the gadget charging for lengthy durations. To stop this from occurring, unplug the battery as soon as it’s absolutely charged.

And if you happen to are likely to cost your devices in a single day, attempt to get into the behavior of doing this through the day if you’re house, or within the early night so you possibly can unplug them as soon as they end charging.

Though numerous fashionable units have overcharge safety inbuilt, it’s nonetheless normally finest follow to disconnect your charger as soon as the gadget is absolutely charged.

Don’t cowl the battery whereas it’s being charged

As thermal runaway usually occurs when the battery overheats, it’s essential that you just don’t cowl your gadget whereas it’s being charged. Be sure to depart loads of house round it to make sure good air flow.

Cost on cool, flat surfaces

Charging your devices on a cool, flat floor can even assist forestall them from overheating. Select a non-flammable onerous floor like a countertop to maximise security. No matter you do, don’t cost them in your mattress, couch or carpet. Not solely might this result in overheating, however it might additionally trigger hearth to unfold extra shortly if one does get away.

Keep away from excessive temperatures whereas charging

Fortunately, the UK experiences pretty gentle summers and winters, however units can nonetheless really overheat, so it’s essential that you just do all you possibly can to stop this.

As an example, strive to not cost your cellphone or different devices in direct daylight. In the event you’re outdoors on a scorching day and you are feeling like your gadget is getting too scorching, tuck it right into a bag or transfer to a shadier spot.

Equally, keep away from charging units inside a scorching automobile, on a sunny windowsill or immediately subsequent to a radiator, even indoors.

Retailer spare batteries safely

In case you have unfastened lithium-ion batteries (e.g. for energy instruments, cameras, e-cigarettes or drones), retailer them of their authentic packaging, a non-conductive plastic case, or a fire-resistant bag (usually referred to as a ‘Lipo bag’ for pastime batteries).

By no means let unfastened batteries come into contact with metallic objects like keys or cash as this could trigger a harmful brief circuit. For bigger detachable e-bike and e-scooter batteries, contemplate storing them in a devoted, well-ventilated space away from fundamental hearth escape routes.

Be sure to’re staying on prime of basic hearth security

As a extra basic piece of recommendation, it’s essential that you just bear in mind to remain on prime of fireside security checks in your house.

Making certain your smoke alarms are working may appear to be a minor factor, however it will possibly really be a life saver. Regardless of the trigger, a working smoke alarm offers you with a transparent early warning of a hearth, supplying you with time to flee.

Check your smoke alarms commonly and guarantee you will have one on each stage of your own home, particularly in areas the place units are charged or saved.

In the event you have a fireplace, be sure to don’t put something in it that shouldn’t be burnt. Although uncommon, we’ve heard of individuals placing issues like plastic milk bottles within the hearth. Any plastics, handled or painted wooden, moist wooden, cardboard and accelerants needs to be refrained from your fire as these could cause poisonous fumes or make the hearth get uncontrolled.

Ensure, additionally, that you just’re maintaining emergency escape routes clear. By no means cost devices – particularly bigger ones like e-bikes or e-scooters – in hallways, stairwells, or close to exits. Within the occasion of a hearth, these routes should stay clear for a secure escape.

What are the warning indicators of battery failure?

Look out for the next indicators of battery failure:

• Swelling or bulging: in case your gadget is bulging the place the battery is positioned, that is usually an indication of battery failure. You may additionally discover that the buttons in your gadget are tougher to press
• Leaking: fluid popping out of your gadget or the battery is a critical purple flag. If it’s secure to take action, take away the battery and put it in a fire-safe container till it may be safely disposed of
• Overheating: {most electrical} devices will generate warmth, particularly when charging. It’s solely when your gadget may be very scorching to the contact that this can be a signal of battery failure 
• Uncommon noises: if you happen to discover the gadget making any uncommon noises reminiscent of hissing, cracking or popping, this may very well be an indication that the battery is on its final legs
• Unusual odor: in some circumstances, failing batteries will emit an acrid or unusually candy odor
• Smoke: smoke is a definitive signal of battery failure and is an indication {that a} hearth has already damaged out. In the event you discover smoke coming out of your gadget, evacuate everybody instantly and name 999

What to do if you happen to suspect battery failure

In case your battery is displaying any of the above warning indicators – apart from smoke, which is an indication {that a} hearth has already began – it’s essential that you just do the next:

1. Cease utilizing the gadget instantly: flip it off and unplug it from any energy sources
2. Utilizing gloves or tongs, transfer the gadget to a non-flammable floor (e.g. a metallic bin or concrete flooring) whether it is secure to take action. In case you have a fire-safe container, place the gadget inside
3. Contact the gadget producer, a licensed restore skilled or your native recycling authority for steerage on the best way to safely eliminate the gadget. Don’t throw it out with common family waste

Learn how to safely eliminate batteries

Battery fires aren’t simply affecting houses, they’re additionally inflicting fires in bin lorries and on waste websites. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) reported that these kinds of fires elevated by 71% from 2022 to 2024.

This enhance is brought on by individuals incorrectly disposing of electronics that embrace lithium-ion batteries in family garbage bins as an alternative of dropping them off at devoted recycling factors.

By regulation, supermarkets and some other huge retailers that promote over 32kg of batteries a yr should embrace a drop off level the place you possibly can eliminate your batteries. Simply notice that if the battery is a component of a bigger gadget and can’t be eliminated (e.g. a calculator, e-cigarette or vape), you’ll must take it to {an electrical} recycling centre. You’ll be able to find your nearest centre here.

Typically your native council will acquire any undesirable electricals from your own home, particularly when you’ve got just a few you wish to eliminate. In the event you can’t discover any centres close by and your gadget is in good situation, contemplate donating the gadgets to a charity. Even when the merchandise is damaged, they’ll usually repair these and promote them on or donate them to individuals in want.

What to do in case your battery catches hearth

In case your battery catches hearth, evacuate your own home instantly and name 999. Lithium-ion battery fires can produce poisonous flames and get out of hand in a short time so it’s essential you permit it to the professionals.

Can lithium-ion batteries catch hearth when not in use?

Sure, sadly, they’ll. Whereas the chance is highest throughout charging, particularly if there’s injury or overcharging, a compromised battery can nonetheless endure thermal runaway even when not in use. Because of this it’s very important to be careful for warning indicators and retailer your batteries correctly.

Family insurance coverage from Adrian Flux

By staying vigilant, understanding the dangers, and implementing these easy security measures, you possibly can considerably scale back the chance of lithium-ion battery fires in your house.

Ensure, too, that your home insurance policy contains cowl towards fires in case the worst occurs. At Adrian Flux, we provide buildings and contents cowl that helps defend you financially towards fires, in addition to many different danger components.
To talk with our staff about your scenario, name us on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that fits you.

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