The small lithium batteries powering your cellphones, tablets and electric scooters bring convenience to your daily life. They also bring a serious fire risk to your home. New Brunswick firefighters want you to understand these dangers during this year’s Fire Prevention Week. According to a recent report from CBC News, using the wrong charger or storing devices improperly significantly increases your risk of a house fire.

Why Lithium Batteries Catch Fire

Lithium batteries work by sending ions back and forth between two points. A broken conduit short circuits the process and sparks a fire. These batteries also generate intense heat. Overcharging or improper charging causes the battery to fail. Nathaniel Watson is the division chief for fire prevention and investigation for the Saint John Fire Department. He explains the process clearly. “When that heat continues to build up, it can damage the battery and cause it to fail, which is what causes those fires,” Watson told CBC.

Recent Incidents in New Brunswick

Firefighters across the province see these incidents rising as the technology grows more popular. On October 6, Fredericton firefighters responded to a lithium battery fire on the University of New Brunswick campus. Fredericton fire chief Dwayne Killingbeck noted a charging bank for portable devices overheated and burned up. Crews contained the damage to the device and the countertop. These fires prove difficult to fight. Lithium batteries produce massive amounts of energy. Killingbeck noted that crews use copious amounts of water to deal with the intense heat. This radiating energy easily ignites nearby flammable objects. The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs estimates Canada saw 1,500 lithium battery fires last year alone.

Simple Ways to Reduce Your Risk

Take immediate steps to protect your home and family. First, always buy certified products. Look for CSA, CUL or CETL marks on the packaging. These labels prove the product meets Canadian safety standards. Next, use the correct charging cable. People often grab cheap replacement cables from gas stations. These alternatives use different wattages and cause devices to overheat. Always use the cable provided by the manufacturer. You must also charge your devices on hard, flat surfaces. Never place a charging phone under your pillow or on a bed. Charge your devices during the day when you are awake to monitor them. Plug cables directly into the wall outlet instead of using extension cords.

Smart Charging and Proper Disposal

Modern devices include smart charging features. A microchip disconnects the battery from the electrical source to prevent overheating. Even with these safeguards, you need to monitor your devices. Watch for batteries that become hot to the touch, swell, leak or smoke. These signs indicate an immediate fire risk. If you own an electric bike, do not bring the battery inside your home to charge. This puts too much strain on your residential electrical circuits. Finally, never throw old lithium batteries in the trash. Take them to your local landfill or recycling centre for safe disposal with other hazardous materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes a lithium battery to catch fire?

Fires happen when the internal conduit breaks and causes a short circuit. Overcharging and using the wrong charger also generate excess heat that leads to battery failure and fire.

How do I safely charge my cellphone?

Always use the manufacturer provided cable and plug it directly into a wall outlet. Charge your phone on a hard, flat surface during the day. Never charge your phone under a pillow or on a soft bed.

What do I do with old lithium batteries?

You must take old lithium batteries to a local recycling centre or landfill that accepts hazardous waste. Never throw them in your regular household garbage.

How do firefighters put out lithium battery fires?

Firefighters use massive amounts of water to cool the intense heat generated by the burning battery. These fires require significant resources to fully extinguish.