What you should know about lithium-ion batteries

There’s an average of one battery fire every two days in the US, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. About 1.5% of lithium-ion batteries are linked to overheating, explosion, or fire incidents each year.

Your smart phone is the most common. Nearly half of cell phone fires are caused by lithium-ion batteries, and the National Fire Protection Association reports that about 24% of cell phone fires are causes by improper charging or the use of incompatible chargers.

Many fires are preventable – 30 to 40% are caused by external factors like short-circuiting, over charging or over-discharging, and 12% are caused by mishandling or misuse of the batteries.

Here are some tips from Nationwide to help mitigate the risk of fire.

· Become familiar with lithium-ion devices by reading the manufacturer’s instructions for handling, storage, and charging.

· Only use approved chargers that come with the device.

· Store devices with lithium-ion batteries away from combustible materials.

· Never charge devices in entryways or in paths to an exit.

· Do not charge equipment with lithium-ion batteries overnight. Disconnect from the charger once they are fully charged.

· If a lithium-ion powered device is dropped or crushed, there could be damage to the battery.

· Exposure to temperatures of around 130 degrees and above could cause lithium-ion batteries to catch fire.

Follow these tips and protect yourself from a lithium-ion battery fire.

Source:
Britney Meredith-Miller
Property Casualty 360