How to prevent lithium-ion battery fires in your home

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How to prevent lithium-ion battery fires in your home How to prevent lithium-ion battery fires in your home
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Nowadays, lithium-ion batteries are in most everyday gadgets. From mobile phones and e-bikes to vape pens and electric toothbrushes, you probably use at least a few of these each day.

While most of us use these products without any issues, Adrian Flux underwriters are seeing an increase in the costs for customers claiming on their home insurance as a result of lithium-ion batteries causing fires to break out in their properties.

Whilst one underwriter reported fewer claims from 2023 to 2024, the claim costs shot up by around 133.63%, showcasing the increasing severity of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. Another underwriter account saw the number of claims increase by 250% over the same period, and the costs involved with such claims rose by a whopping 1,188.32%.

Given the sheer number of gadgets that use these types of batteries, it’s important that you are aware of the risks and warning signs so you can act quickly. Here we provide everything you need to know to stay safe.

How safe are lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion battery fires and other safety risks are relatively rare. They usually only become unsafe when they are used, stored, recycled or manufactured incorrectly.

E-bikes and e-scooters tend to be more prone to catching fire, especially if they’re post-market conversions to electric, including those you’ve converted yourself. Some fire and rescue services have reported an increase in the number of battery-related fires, with over 80% of these involving e-bikes.

Why do lithium-ion batteries catch fire?

Understanding why lithium-ion batteries catch fire will help prevent this from happening to you. These types of batteries are prone to what’s called ‘thermal runaway’. This is a chain reaction where excessive heat generates even more heat, and eventually leads to a fire breaking out or an explosion.

Thermal runaway is often caused by any of the following:

  • Overcharging
  • Physical damage to the battery
  • Storing or charging the device in extreme temperatures
  • Using the wrong charger
  • Faulty or uncertified batteries

What can I do to keep safe?

There are a number of ways you can help prevent lithium-ion battery fires and explosions.

Beware of counterfeit products

The market is unfortunately flooded with cheap, uncertified and counterfeit lithium-ion batteries and chargers, especially online. These often lack proper safety mechanisms and are a major cause of fires. While these might seem like a bargain, the reality is that the risk is simply not worth it.

Always buy replacement batteries, devices or chargers from the original retailer. There have been some reports from customers that chargers they bought online through seemingly trustworthy third-party sources (such as via Amazon) resulted in a fire.

As a result, it’s usually better to err on the side of caution and buy your replacement chargers from the original retailer. Although these are often more expensive, they are typically a lot safer.

The same is true for electric vehicle charge points: make sure you buy these from a certified manufacturer, and leave the installation to an expert.

When buying replacement items, always ensure the product has legitimate safety certifications too. For a new charger, this will come in the form of a CE mark, which indicates that the device meets EU safety standards.

Don’t leave the device charging overnight or unattended

House fires from lithium-ion batteries are often caused by the battery overheating. This is more likely to happen when you leave the device charging for long periods. To prevent this from happening, unplug the battery once it’s fully charged.

And if you tend to charge your gadgets overnight, try to get into the habit of doing this during the day when you’re home, or in the early evening so you can unplug them once they finish charging.

Although a lot of modern devices have overcharge protection built in, it’s still usually best practice to disconnect your charger once the gadget is fully charged.

Don’t cover the battery while it’s being charged

As thermal runaway often happens when the battery overheats, it’s important that you don’t cover your device while it’s being charged. Make sure you leave plenty of space around it to ensure good ventilation.

Charge on cool, flat surfaces

Charging your gadgets on a cool, flat surface will also help prevent them from overheating. Choose a non-flammable hard surface like a countertop to maximise safety. Whatever you do, do not charge them on your bed, sofa or carpet. Not only could this lead to overheating, but it could also cause fire to spread more quickly if one does break out.

Avoid extreme temperatures while charging

Thankfully, the UK experiences fairly mild summers and winters, but devices can still actually overheat, so it’s important that you do all you can to prevent this.

For instance, try not to charge your phone or other gadgets in direct sunlight. If you’re outside on a hot day and you feel like your device is getting too hot, tuck it into a bag or move to a shadier spot.

Similarly, avoid charging devices inside a hot car, on a sunny windowsill or directly next to a radiator, even indoors.

Store spare batteries safely

If you have loose lithium-ion batteries (e.g. for power tools, cameras, e-cigarettes or drones), store them in their original packaging, a non-conductive plastic case, or a fire-resistant bag (often called a ‘Lipo bag’ for hobby batteries).

Never let loose batteries come into contact with metal objects like keys or coins as this can cause a dangerous short circuit. For larger removable e-bike and e-scooter batteries, consider storing them in a dedicated, well-ventilated area away from main fire escape routes.

Make sure you’re staying on top of general fire safety

As a more general piece of advice, it’s important that you remember to stay on top of fire safety checks in your home.

Ensuring your smoke alarms are working might seem like a minor thing, but it can actually be a life saver. Whatever the cause, a working smoke alarm provides you with a clear early warning of a fire, giving you time to escape.

Test your smoke alarms regularly and ensure you have one on every level of your home, especially in areas where devices are charged or stored.

If you have a fireplace, make sure you don’t put anything in it that shouldn’t be burnt. Though rare, we have heard of people putting things like plastic milk bottles in the fire. Any plastics, treated or painted wood, wet wood, cardboard and accelerants should be kept away from your fireplace as these can cause toxic fumes or make the fire get out of control.

Make sure, also, that you’re keeping emergency escape routes clear. Never charge gadgets – especially larger ones like e-bikes or e-scooters – in hallways, stairwells, or near exits. In the event of a fire, these routes must remain clear for a safe escape.

What are the warning signs of battery failure?

Look out for the following signs of battery failure:

  • Swelling or bulging: if your gadget is bulging where the battery is located, this is often a sign of battery failure. You might also notice that the buttons on your device are harder to press
  • Leaking: fluid coming out of your device or the battery is a serious red flag. If it’s safe to do so, remove the battery and put it in a fire-safe container until it can be safely disposed of
  • Overheating: most electrical gadgets will generate heat, especially when charging. It’s only when your device is very hot to the touch that this is a sign of battery failure 
  • Unusual noises: if you notice the device making any unusual noises such as hissing, cracking or popping, this could be a sign that the battery is on its last legs
  • Strange smell: in some cases, failing batteries will emit an acrid or unusually sweet smell
  • Smoke: smoke is a definitive sign of battery failure and is a sign that a fire has already broken out. If you notice smoke coming from your device, evacuate everyone immediately and call 999

What to do if you suspect battery failure

If your battery is displaying any of the above warning signs – besides smoke, which is a sign that a fire has already started – it’s important that you do the following:

  1. Stop using the device immediately: turn it off and unplug it from any power sources
  2. Using gloves or tongs, move the gadget to a non-flammable surface (e.g. a metal bin or concrete floor) if it is safe to do so. If you have a fire-safe container, place the device inside
  3. Contact the device manufacturer, a certified repair professional or your local recycling authority for guidance on how to safely dispose of the device. Do not throw it out with regular household waste

How to safely dispose of batteries

Battery fires aren’t just affecting homes, they’re also causing fires in bin lorries and on waste sites. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) reported that these sorts of fires increased by 71% from 2022 to 2024.

This increase is caused by people incorrectly disposing of electronics that include lithium-ion batteries in household rubbish bins instead of dropping them off at dedicated recycling points.

By law, supermarkets and any other big shops that sell over 32kg of batteries a year must include a drop off point where you can dispose of your batteries. Just note that if the battery is part of a larger device and cannot be removed (e.g. a calculator, e-cigarette or vape), you’ll need to take it to an electrical recycling centre. You can find your nearest centre here.

Sometimes your local council will collect any unwanted electricals from your home, especially if you have a few you want to get rid of. If you can’t find any centres nearby and your device is in good condition, consider donating the items to a charity. Even if the item is broken, they can often fix these and sell them on or donate them to people in need.

What to do if your battery catches fire

If your battery catches fire, evacuate your home immediately and call 999. Lithium-ion battery fires can produce toxic flames and get out of hand very quickly so it’s important you leave it to the professionals.

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

Yes, unfortunately, they can. While the risk is highest during charging, especially if there’s damage or overcharging, a compromised battery can still undergo thermal runaway even when not in use. This is why it’s vital to watch out for warning signs and store your batteries properly.

Household insurance from Adrian Flux

By staying vigilant, understanding the risks, and implementing these straightforward safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires in your home.

Make sure, too, that your home insurance policy includes cover against fires in case the worst happens. At Adrian Flux, we offer buildings and contents cover that helps protect you financially against fires, as well as many other risk factors.
To speak with our team about your situation, call us on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that suits you.

Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by theamericangenie.
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