Wilmington Fire Department shares lithium-ion battery safety tips

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Fire Department is reminding residents how to safely use and charge lithium-ion batteries as part of Fire Prevention Month.

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in cellphones, laptops, electric bikes, scooters, vehicles and other devices.

WFD says fires involving the batteries can be associated with charging, storage, disposal and physical damage.

A recent presentation on lithium-ion battery safety cited an estimated 198,000 structure fires involving lithium-ion batteries in the United States since 2011, according to the department. WFD said the number of battery-related fires could also be underreported.

To reduce the risk of fires, WFD recommends using chargers and equipment recommended by the device manufacturer and avoiding incompatible charging equipment.

The department also recommends plugging charging equipment directly into an appropriate electrical outlet instead of using extension cords.

People should keep charging areas away from flammable materials and make sure batteries, chargers and other equipment do not block exits or pathways.

WFD also recommends following manufacturer instructions for charging, storage, operation and maintenance and giving batteries and charging equipment enough space to prevent a potential fire from quickly spreading to other materials.

The department says taking precautions when choosing where and how to charge battery-powered devices can help reduce the risk of fires.