New Safety Campaign Provides Tips to Avoid Lithium-Ion Battery Fires 

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services (RHFES) is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to raise awareness about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and ways to minimize them. 

NFPA’s new campaign, “Charge into Fire Safety™”, provides resources in response to the growing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries that power devices like e-bikes and e-scooters, cell phones, laptops and electric vehicles. As the use of these items has increased, so has the number of fires associated with them. 

NFPA and RHFES recommend these tips when buying, charging, storing, and using lithium-ion batteries to help prevent fires:

• Only purchase and use devices, batteries, and charging equipment that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and labelled accordingly.
• Only use charging equipment that is compatible with your device. To be safe, use only the charging equipment that is supplied with your device and only charge small devices on a hard surface.
• Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.
• Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycling is always the best option. Take the batteries to a battery recycling location.
• Stop using your device if the battery shows signs of damage, such as an unusual odor, excessive heat, popping sounds, swelling, or change in color.
• Only have device repairs performed by a qualified professional.

Learn more about the “Charge into Fire Safety” campaign and download free safety tip sheets at nfpa.org/lithiumionsafety.

For more fire prevention information, visit RichmondHill.ca/FirePrevention.

Quotes

“RHFES encourages residents to learn more about the hazards of lithium-ion batteries. By better understanding how lithium-ion battery fires start, people can take the necessary steps to minimize associated risks and safely use their electronics and other devices powered by these batteries.”

- Bryan Burbidge, Richmond Hill Fire Chief

“Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly found in the many devices and systems we use every day. With this greater use, however, we are seeing an uptick in related fires, prompting people to contact us frequently with questions about battery safety. In response, NFPA created the ‘Charge into Fire Safety’ campaign with information that helps answer these questions clearly and thoroughly, in one easy-to-find location.”  

- Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA®