The Devon and Somerset Fire Rescue Service in England, has launched a ‘Charge Safely, Sleep Soundly’ campaign. They do so at a time that lithium-ion battery fires are on the rise, especially in e-bikes and e-scooters. The fire and rescue service hopes to raise awareness, and promote safer charging, storage, and disposal practices.
How Urgently Should We Charge Safely and Sleep Soundly?
Battery fires are increasing in e-bikes and e-scooters, according to the fire and rescue service website. Therefore, it wishes to encourage safer charging, storage, and disposal of these devices, especially during its campaign, and ongoing.
There were over 300 fires in the United Kingdom in 2023, that linked to lithium-ion battery fires. There is evidence of multiple injuries in Devon and Somerset. Although this may only be the ‘tip of the impact’.
The Devon and Somerset Fire Rescue Service, Charge Safely, Sleep Soundly campaign, aims to promote safe lithium-ion battery storage and charging, by explaining how this remarkable technology works.
Using and Charging Lithium Batteries For Safety’s Sake
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable devices for storing energy for use later. We find them in most laptops, power banks, phones, e-scooters, e-bikes and e-cigarette vapes. You are probably using power from a lithium-ion battery to read this article right now.
Lithium-ion batteries are a great invention when assembled correctly in the factory, and used wisely by consumers. However, if a rogue factory cuts corners, or a user overcharges them, then they may fail although this is statistically unlikely.
However, this risk increases, even in quality lithium-ion batteries, if the product suffers damage, short circuits through a low-resistance conductor, or lies under water for a considerable period.
This is why we should charge lithium-ion batteries correctly, and only use them as their manufacturer intends. We should never, ever throw them in the garbage, because they could break open in a crusher, and explode into fire.
More Information
Holding Battery Makers Accountable for Fires
Wildfires And EV Batteries Vex Responders
