E-Scooter Fire Highlightsโ Growing Lithium-Ion Battery risks:โ Whatโข You Need toโ Know
CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Aโข Cantonโ Townshipโ family narrowly escapedโข a potential disaster whenโ an e-scooter battery โignited, sparking a fire that damaged their home. The incident serves as a stark warning about โthe hidden dangersโข of lithium-ionโค batteries, a power source increasingly prevalent in everyday life.
Ronza Qaimari was alerted to the blaze by โขa concerned neighbor. โ”Hey, โyour house is onโ fire,”โ the neighbor โexclaimed. “Looked out โฃthe windowโค to come to find out the scooter batteryโ from the heat caused a โขfire andโข literally lit our whole backyard up.”โ
The fire’s proximity to โpropane tanks could have resulted โขin a catastrophic explosion, accordingโ to Ronza’sโค husband,โ Adamโ Qaimari.”Aโข minute longer would have penetrated both the windowsโฆ It would have been bad.”
This close call comes as Fire Preventionโข Week (October 5-11) focuses on the growing concerns surrounding lithium-ionโข batteryโ safety. These batteries power โคa vast array of devices – from smartphones andโ laptops to electric vehicles and the increasingly popular e-bikes and scooters.
while generally safe under normal conditions, lithium-ion batteries can become hazardous if damaged, improperly maintained, or subjected to extremeโฃ temperatures.
“Lithium-ion batteries,they’re a great product. I have them โin my โฃhouse,” explains Farmington Hills โขFire โฃMarshal Jason Baloga. “They’re so convenient now because they store a large amount of energy in a small โคspace. โฃIt is uncommon, but โฃwe doโ see it if they’re damaged or abused, that there is a failure.โ And when โthere’s a failure with thatโ much โขenergy stored in a small โspace, the โฃdamage is catastrophic and very quick.”
Protecting Your โฃHome: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Tips
As we become increasingly reliant on devices powered by lithium-ion batteries,understanding how to use them safely is crucial.Fire Marshal Baloga recommends the following precautions:
* Stick to โReputable Brands: Purchase onlyโค name-brand products and avoid cheaper, off-brandโ alternatives.
* Look for UL Certification: Ensure the product and its packaging