Safety Advice from DFES: Lithium-Ion Batteries

Published on Thursday, 18 July 2024 at 1:30:00 PM

This advice comes from the Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES).

Most West Aussies own items with lithium-ion batteries. You do not need to be at home for there to be a house fire.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in your rechargeable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, e-scooters or e-bikes, power tools or stick vacuums can be a hazard in your home if left on charge or damaged. If a lithium-ion device is overcharged, faulty or poorly manufactured, the batteries can overheat and explode. Lithium can burn at 2,000 degrees, igniting several fires simultaneously.

This year alone, 70 fires have been caused by lithium-ion batteries, with 20 caused by e-Rideables. On average, DFES career and volunteer firefighters respond to two residential structure fires each day - however, these incidents spike around July to August as WA enters the depths of winter.

West Australians are urged to not leave e-Rideables and other household items containing lithium-ion batteries charging overnight or when they are not at home due to their potential to overheat and cause devastating home fires. Batteries can overheat when left on charge or when they are faulty. Once the battery explodes, it can end up metres from where it was charging, and a small fire can spread quickly engulfing an entire home in just minutes.

Fire investigators are seeing a rise in the number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries where the home has either been significantly damaged or completely destroyed.

 

Here are a few things you can do to protect you and your home from a house fire:

  • Check electrical items and cords for signs of wear and tear before using them. Don’t use damaged or dented equipment.
  • Never leave batteries charging when no one is home, or in unsupervised areas such as garages.
  • Make sure when charging batteries they are placed on a hard surface, and are not left charging on bedding, couches, carpets or clothing.
  • Don’t leave batteries charging once they have reached 100% as they can overheat.
  • Batteries are classed as hazardous waste and should never be placed in your kerbside bins. You can dispose of your e-waste at the Donnybrook Waste Management Facility, or by searching for a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off point online.

 

Additional Information & Resources:

Preventing a Fire in the Home (DFES)

Find a Drop-off Point (RecycleRight)

Waste Management in our Shire

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