It is something that most people will recognise: You want to quickly watch a film or video clip on your telephone, tablet or laptop as you lie in bed. To make sure that your device is fully charged in the morning, you connect it to the charger next to you. What many people don’t know is that the batteries in such devices can cause a fire.
“Do you handle chargers and batteries safely in and around your home?”
“Chargers and batteries are not dangerous if used correctly.”
“However, they present a risk of fire if they overheat.”
“So never leave electrical devices lying around in direct sunlight… “
… and remove them from the charger as soon as the battery has fully charged”
“The risk of fire increases when batteries are damaged.”
“So be very careful when handling electrical devices.”
“For more information, visit www.rijksdienstcn.com”
More and more modern devices are operated by lithium-ion batteries (or li-on batteries). These lightweight rechargeable batteries or cells can be found in, for example, smartphones, laptops and electric bikes. Such batteries contain a lot more power than standard (penlite) batteries, and thus offer many benefits. However, because these batteries are more powerful, they can also increase the risk of fire. This page shows how to deal with chargers, batteries and cells in a safe manner, thus reducing the likelihood of fire.
More about batteries and cells
No, batteries are not dangerous during normal use. However, batteries and cells pose a risk of fire if they come into contact with water or if they are not stored in a safe and appropriate manner.
The risk off electrical devices catching fire is highest when these devices are being charged. A few tips about how to charge safely can be found below:
Only use the original charger that was supplied with the device. The risk of batteries catching fire increases if you use a charger from another device or brand. So be careful when using chargers that do not belong with your device.
When charging the device (or battery), place it on a stable and non-flammable surface, away from other objects. For instance, do not place your phone on your bed when charging!
Charge devices on a regular basis. Cells will lose charge very slowly even if you are not using them. If cells become completely empty, it is sometimes not possible to (properly) charge them again. This is referred to as deep discharging.
There is a risk of overcharging if the charger is plugged into the socket for too long. The device will then become hot and could catch fire. So disconnect your device once its battery has fully charged.
The biggest risk when using batteries is that they become hot too quickly. Heating can cause the reaction inside the battery to accelerate, causing the device to overheat and possibly catch fire. Electrical devices are more likely to overheat, and batteries and cells will degrade quicker, in warm surroundings. So never leave your phone in direct sunlight or inside a warm vehicle.
Also read the safety instructions to learn how to use your electrical device correctly. And if your device has been dropped or damaged, have it examined by a specialist as quickly as possible. Damaged batteries are more likely to catch fire.
There are a few tell-tale signs of problems with your batteries or cells. Toxic gases are released when lithium-ion batteries catch fire. If you encounter one or more of the following signs, stop using the device immediately and disconnect it from the charger:
Fluid is leaking from the battery or cell.
The device is producing (too much) heat.
The device is creating a strong chemical or burning smell. Undamaged batteries never produce such smells.
You see signs of fire, like smoke and/or sparks.
It is important to take a number of steps if you recognise one or more signs of a faulty battery or cell:
Stop using the device immediately and disconnect it from the charger.
Take the device outside and keep it away from flammable materials. Caution: only if you can do so in a safe manner!
Call 911 if smoke or fire is encountered. If you have doubts: still call 911!
Caution: if your electrical device short-circuits or catches fire, use a fire blanket or a special carbon dioxide extinguisher. Click here for further information about fire extinguishers.
Batteries cannot be simply disposed of as household waste. They contain substances that can damage the environment. You can hand in normal household batteries, cell batteries (for photo and video cameras) and industrial batteries to the designated waste processing companies.
