News Release

WINONA LAKE — Mike Cox, public information officer for the Winona Lake Fire Department, is helping to get the word out about the dangers of lithium batteries.

Would anyone knowingly bring something into their home that has killed over a hundred people last year? Probably not, but it is very likely that people already have. Mobile phones, laptop computers or tablets, cameras, cordless power tools, or an electric vehicle; all and more of those items contain lithium-based batteries. One expanding use of lithium batteries is in Energy Storage Systems (usually solar or wind powered) to provide electricity if the power grid goes down.

Like most hazardous materials, when lithium batteries are contained and properly used, they are generally quite safe and useful. From little button batteries, to the thousands of cells contained in the batteries of electric vehicles, lithium batteries have become ingrained in the culture.

Unfortunately, people do not always treat their tools and toys properly, and bad things happen. By not reading directions, or understanding lithium batteries, this could be endangering cars, homes, and lives. Toys get plugged in and left alone until they are played with. People damage or lose the charger, then use one that looks the same but is not. They then buy an off brand, cheaply made charger that uses inferior wiring which can cause batteries to overheat, burn, or explode. Lithium powered laptops, tablets, and phones get left in hot cars in the summer.

Heat is the enemy of lithium batteries. Batteries for ebikes can range in voltage from 12 to over 50 volts. These batteries are made up of several individual cells, and if just one cell fails, the heat from that cell can start thermal runaway by overheating neighboring cells. Buildup of pressure from thermal runaway can create a low-speed explosion, exerting a force of approximately 50,000 pounds of force. If the ebike was stored in the garage, that force could blow the overhead garage door off, turning it into a large projectile. This can be made worse if the ebike (or any other device using a similar battery) is stored in someone’s house.

These items are usually put where they can be easily accessed, such as near a door. New York City, in 2023, experienced 270 lithium battery fires, causing 150 injuries and 18 deaths; many of which were due to ebikes being parked and charging near the doors of apartments. An awareness campaign and new regulations have caused significant decreases in those statistics.

Lithium-ion batteries can go into thermal runaway undetected. This can result in a fire that will emit flames, smoke, and toxic gases that then can cause an explosion, which can spread throughout the building. A recent fire in a truckload of lithium batters caused five firefighters to be taken to the hospital due to inhaling the smoke and fumes from the blaze. None of those five firefighters were in what would normally be called a dangerous zone. When inside a building, a person has less than one minute to escape from the fire, smoke, and toxic gases; considering that someone recognizes the situation and determines the course of action to get out after warning others to also flee.

A few guidelines to follow in dealing with lithium batteries:

1. Use only the charger that came with the unit, or an exact replacement.
2. Never leave a battery on a charger unobserved and check regularly for any heat buildup in the charger or the battery. The charger and battery should be on a heat-resistant, nonflammable, nonconductive surface.
3. Do not overcharge batteries, and do not leave batteries connected to chargers after the charging is complete.
4. If the device is not going to be used for an extended period, remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry place. Bring the battery up to room temperature before reinstalling.
5. Recycle used lithium batteries properly. Do not throw them in with the garbage.

This information was originally posted onto Winona Lake Fire Department’s Facebook page.

To view the video sent by Cox, click here.