Lithium batteries are the rechargeable batteries which are found in a variety of electrical devices. The average modern UK household has many items containing lithium-ion batteries – including e-scooters and e-bikes, vaping devices, mobile phones and laptops. The device you’re reading on right now is probably powered by a lithium-ion battery.
These batteries are safe during normal use, but present a fire risk when charging, over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water or damaged, so it is important to know how to use them safely.
The number of fires caused by lithium batteries has rapidly increased in the last couple of years.
They are a main cause of waste fires and can be extremely dangerous when thrown away with general rubbish, or mixed with recyclable materials like card, metal and plastic. Lithium-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to high temperatures and inherently flammable. These fires quickly spread and are hard to put out, causing a lot of damage.
Follow the advice below to reduce your fire risk and understand how to use them safely.
Charging
- Don’t charge e-bikes and e-scooters in bedrooms or where escape routes can be blocked such as corridors
- Don’t leave your battery charging unattended, when you are out or while you are asleep
- Don’t cover chargers or battery packs when charging
- Don’t charge or store batteries in direct sunlight or in hot locations (above 45⁰C)
- Always use the correct charger for your battery
- Always unplug your charger when you have finished charging
- Use a reputable seller when buying replacement chargers
- Let your battery cool before charging it
Fit smoke alarms in the area where you charge your battery – or request a Safer Homes Visit from Cleveland Fire Brigade where the team can provide smoke alarms
Did you know?
There are several warning signs to be aware when it comes to e-bikes and e-scooters, and you must stop using or charging your battery immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Overheating: If your device’s battery feels extremely hot to the touch
- Deformation: If your battery looks swollen. Similar signs include any type of lump or leaking from the device
- Noise: If your battery is making hissing or cracking sounds
- Smell: If you notice a strong or unusual smell coming from the battery
- Performance: If your battery does not fully charge or is taking longer to charge than normal
- Smoke: If your battery or device is smoking
Purchasing
- Only buy e-bikes, e-scooters, chargers and batteries from reputable retailers and manufacturers.
- Check the product is marked with a CE or UKCA mark to ensure they comply with UK product safety standards.
- Before buying always check product reviews
- Register your product with the manufacturer to validate any warranties and make it easier for manufacturers to contact you in the event of a safety issue e.g. product recall.
E-Bike conversion kits
- Never install a conversion kit yourself as it could lead to safety issues with your e-bike and increase the risk of fire
- Only a professional should carry out an e-bike conversion. They will be responsible for ensuring that the e-bike is safe and fitted with the correct motor, battery and charger
- If you install a conversion kit yourself, it could invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty and make you responsible for any subsequent damage or accident and don’t modify your e-bike to increase the speed of power as it may no longer be legal to use on public roads
