Lithium-Ion Battery Safety at Home: A Few Simple Habits Can Reduce the Risk of Fire

Phones, laptops, cordless tools, e-bikes, scooters, tablets and countless other devices in our homes rely on lithium-ion batteries.

Most of the time, we barely think about them. We plug something in, walk away and expect it to be charged when we come back.

But where and how you charge a battery matters.

The good news is that reducing the risk doesn’t require a major project. A quick walk through your home and a few simple changes can make charging safer.

Start With Where You Charge

Avoid charging devices on beds, couches, pillows or other soft surfaces.

Charging creates heat, and soft materials can trap that heat around the device. A hard, open surface such as a desk, counter or table allows heat to dissipate more easily.

Larger batteries deserve even more attention.

E-bikes, electric scooters and power tools contain significantly larger batteries than a phone or tablet. Give them some space while they are charging and keep them away from the routes you would use to leave the house in an emergency.

If an e-bike or scooter is charging in a hallway, near a stairway or beside your primary exit, look for a safer location.

Use the Right Charger

The inexpensive replacement charger you find online isn’t necessarily a bargain.

Whenever possible, use the charger supplied by the manufacturer or a replacement specifically approved for that device.

A charger that isn’t designed for a particular battery may provide the wrong voltage or charging characteristics, which can damage the battery and increase the possibility of overheating.

Pay Attention to the Battery

Your device will often give you warning signs before a battery problem becomes serious.

Stop using or charging a battery if you notice:

• Unusual heat
• Swelling or bulging
• A strange odor
• Leaking
• Smoke
• Significant physical damage

If a battery or device begins smoking or catches fire, leave the area and call 911.

Don’t put yourself at risk trying to handle a burning lithium-ion battery.

Don’t Forget Old Batteries

That drawer filled with old rechargeable batteries shouldn’t become their permanent home.

Damaged or unwanted lithium-ion batteries generally require special disposal and should not simply be tossed into ordinary household trash.

Check with your town or local waste authority for battery recycling or hazardous-waste collection options.

Check Your Smoke Alarms Too

Safe charging practices reduce risk, but working smoke alarms remain one of the most important layers of protection in any home.

Take a few minutes to test yours, particularly those near bedrooms and the areas where electronics or larger batteries are commonly charged.

Take the 10-Minute Home Charging Walkthrough

Walk through your home tonight and check:

• Where phones, tablets and laptops are charging overnight
• Whether anything is charging on a bed, couch or other soft surface
• Whether chargers match the devices they’re being used with
• Where e-bikes, scooters and power-tool batteries are stored and charged
• Whether large batteries are blocking or near an exit
• Whether you have damaged or unused batteries that need disposal
• Whether your smoke alarms are working

It doesn’t take long.

And like a lot of good loss-prevention habits, the easiest time to solve a potential problem is before it becomes a claim.

At Page Insurance, we spend a lot of time talking about insurance coverage. But preventing a loss in the first place is always better.

If you have questions about your homeowners coverage—or want us to review whether your current policy provides the protection you expect—give us a call.

Page Insurance
Serving Connecticut homeowners since 1943.