Lithium Battery Danger
A small battery can destroy your home
I've mentioned this huge problem before but it keeps happening. It's all to do with a small battery that is used to power so many things these days - phones and other devices of convenience, in particular e-scooters and e-bikes. They are modes of transport which are a cheap way of getting about. Even kids can use them. No fuel costs, just a recharge from a mains power source. Great, yeah? But wait - there's more; much, much more...
Rarely does a day go by when the evening news doesn't report a property fire. Sometimes a business goes up in flames; more often than not it's a house. The fire department here in Western Australia maintains that last year alone there was an average of a house fire every two days caused by a lithium battery exploding. Warnings are broadcast regularly, but thanks to our casual, laid-back attitude not everyone takes notice. It'll never happen to us they believe; then it does and the after effects are devastating: house gone along with everything in it, much of which like family photos and memorabilia can't be replaced.
Why do some of these batteries explode? Many reasons we are told. Lithium powered products can be purchased online far cheaper than from shops and specialist retailers. Unfortunately, quite a few of these do not comply with standard safety requirements and they can't be trusted. I recall one instance when an e-scooter was sitting outside on the concrete and spontaneously burst into flames. It wasn't on charge and it was just waiting to ignite. Had this been inside a building... well, you can imagine the consequences.
Such is the cause of numerous house fires. For example: an e-scooter left on charge in a garage, maybe overnight, is a classic example. It could be one of those cheap imports and the owner trusts that the unit will switch off automatically once the battery's fully charged, so it is left to its own devices. Then, in the middle of the night the residents are awakened by the smoke alarm going off. The fire is a result of the lithium battery on the e-scooter suddenly exploding in the garage which, as is often the case is attached to the main dwelling. Needless to say, that's where the fire spreads. Luckily family and pets manage to escape the blaze, but the house is reduced to burnt rubble. And this was all down to that she'll-be-right complacency.
I don't know if anyone will take the following advice on board. I sincerely hope so. Here are a few precautions that should be observed...
* Never leave a lithium battery on charge for longer than necessary. Check frequently and once it's charged, switch off the charger and unplug from the unit.
* Avoid charging e-scooters and e-bikes anywhere in the house. Do this somewhere outside in an open space and clear of any flammable materials. If you do decide to recharge in the garage, ensure it is away from anything that can catch light; and definitely don't put it close to the car fuel tank or the petrol lawnmower.
* Preferably buy e-rideables and other lithium-powered devices from a reliable, known source and steer clear of foreign imports.
* Ensure you use the charger recommended for the particular brand and not one for charging a different model or some other device.
* If, during the charging process the battery or charging unit begin to heat up, switch off immediately. Something is wrong here!
* Should a unit require maintenance or repair, have it done by a technician at the place where you bought it. Definitely beware of tackling it yourself or letting some backyard amateur have a jiggle.
* Mobile phones and tablets seem pretty safe, or are they? How many of you or your kids plug them into chargers then lob them on the bed and walk away? That's a no, no!
I would like to think that electric cars are fairly safe, although I do recall an electric bus catching fire. I would also hope that this all-too-frequent problem will be addressed by the manufacturers of lithium batteries making them safer. No doubt cost is a major factor and this would be passed on to customers who might continue to search for a cheaper alternative. But the increase in buying better is nothing compared to the loss of a house and contents. Please be wise before the fact and keep your home and family safe.
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