The evidence is mounting that we should be at home when charging batteries, and preferably wide awake too. That’s especially the case if the batteries are lithium-ion, according to Summerland Review. After all, which one of us does not have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in our devices at home?
More Reasons to Be At Home When Charging Batteries
The City of Vancouver website lays it on the line with the following advice that confirms what many other authorities say:
- Only purchase devices and batteries that carry the UL Underwriters Laboratory mark.
- Always use the charging cable that came with the device. Follow the maker’s recharging instructions to the letter.
- Recharge the device on a hard surface where you can see it, and spot anything unusual.
- Never charge a battery or a device in direct sunlight, or in a car with the windows closed.
You should also stay wide awake, while at home when charging batteries, especially when these are the lithium-ion variety. That’s because you want to be able to detect a smell, or a change in color as soon as it happens. You also need to be able to spot any signs of a battery overheating, swelling, or leaking.
What To Do If You Detect a Problem While Charging
The fact that you are at home is no excuse for heroics! Lithium-ion battery fires are extremely hot, and you are unlikely to be able to extinguish one on your own. Turn the power off to the charger if you hear strange noises or sense smoke. Then leave your home and call your emergency number for help once outdoors.
To recap, you are most likely to end up in this situation if one or more of the following applies to you:
- You connected a battery to a device with greater resistance than it should, causing the battery to overheat.
- You recharged the battery in a very hot space that compounded the heat the battery generated.
- You used an old battery, or one that was damaged. This increased the internal resistance factor.
- You used the wrong charger. You were not present when the battery became hot and started swelling.
And that, in nutshell, is why you should be at home when charging batteries, especially the lithium-ion kind.
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