Recently we had a tragic reminder of how dangerous lithium-ion batteries can be when not handled safely. A house fire broke out in a Bric property, caused by an overheating battery. Thankfully no one was injured, but the fire destroyed belongings, displaced residents, and caused huge property damage.
The person whose home was devastated has given permission to share these photos in the hopes of increasing awareness and warning others about the risks of these batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in lots of our devices like smartphones, laptops and e-scooters. While they are generally safe, they can become dangerous if they are damaged or charged incorrectly.
In this case, a device with a lithium-ion battery overheated while charging, causing a fire that quickly spread throughout the home. It’s vital to follow safety guidelines and check for damage to your devices.
Inspect your devices regularly
If your e-scooter, phone, laptop, or any other battery- powered device looks damaged, swollen, cracked, or leaking, stop using it immediately. Do not charge it. It may need to be repaired or safely disposed of.
Use the right charger
Always use the manufacturer-approved charging cables. Third- party chargers might be cheaper but they can cause expensive damage and may not be safe. Never leave your devices unattended while charging: Only charge them when you’re awake and around to monitor them. Don’t charge devices overnight or when you’re not at home.
Keep devices away from heat and flammable materials: Avoid charging devices on top of or near flammable surfaces like paper, curtains, or carpets. Never leave a charging device in direct sunlight or in a hot car.
What you can do if you notice something’s wrong
If you ever see signs of overheating – like heat, smoke, or sparks – don’t wait. Immediately unplug the device and move it to a cool area away from people and anything that could catch fire.
Never pour water on overheating devices – water will only make things worse and destroy the device.
If there’s a fire, call 000 immediately, afterwards contact the Bric Maintenance team on 3230 5542 to report the issue.
Watch this short video to find out more.
Video courtesy of NSW Fire and Rescue