Chances are your family uses phones, laptops, tablets, cordless vacuum cleaners, and other devices that depend on lithium-ion batteries for power.
While they seem harmless, they’re actually hidden hazards that can easily spark fires.
And as of late, these rechargeable lithium-ion devices have become a real concern in many homes.
“We’re seeing lithium-ion batteries quietly become one of the fastest growing residential fire risks because they’re now present in nearly every room of the home,” explains Jonathan Espinoza of Kord Fire Protection in Los Angeles.
Unlike traditional fire hazards—like open flames or overloaded extension cords—lithium-ion powered devices operate silently and are often left charging unattended for long periods of time.
By recognizing the dangers of lithium-ion powered devices and being proactive, you can reduce the risk of fires and keep your home and family safe.
How everyday devices become hazards
Your typical cellphone, laptop, or power tool can quickly turn into an ignition source when it’s overcharged, contains low quality replacement batteries, or faces internal battery damage of some sort.
“This happens through a process called thermal runaway. It occurs when the li-ion cell overheats, and burns faster from within. Temperatures can climb above 1,000°F in a matter of seconds. And once the reaction begins, it’s really hard for it to stop,” explains Lo Choe, owner and certified fire and life safety professional at Aura Fire Safety in San Francisco.
Dropping your laptop on the floor, driving over your e-bike charger cord, or using that $5 replacement battery from Amazon may not seem like a big deal. However, any of these scenarios can damage the internal cells of lithium-ion batteries, which could lead to a fire.
Signs of at-risk batteries
Once you know what to look for, it’s pretty easy to identify lithium-ion batteries that can cause fires.
“Physical swelling is the biggest indicator. If your phone case suddenly doesn’t fit or your laptop battery appears to be swollen or warped, don’t recharge it,” says Choe.
If your device is running unusually hot during typical operation, that’s also a sign. Running hot while charging is normal, but it should return to baseline when idle.
Another big giveaway is age. “Batteries that are 3 to 5 years old or more are much more susceptible to internal wear and damage, even if the device appears to be working properly,” adds Choe.
Finally, if a battery has been dropped, punctured, or exposed to water, you can pretty much consider it a ticking time bomb from there on out.
What to do if a device overheats
As soon as you notice a device is too hot, unplug it and remove it from nearby flammable materials.
If it’s smoking or throwing sparks, get out of the house. Don’t pour water on it but do call the fire department right away.
“Lithium-ion batteries will react violently with water, and emit toxic hydrogen fluoride gas when doused. Even if you can put the fire out quickly, you’re now breathing harmful gas that will continue to emit until the battery is cooled off completely by professionals,” says Choe.
Each year, Choe sees dozens of families who after containing a fire are forced to leave their homes and pets. The reason? First responders found they exposed themselves to lethal gas by staying too long.
Expert tips to prevent fires at home
As lithium-ion powered devices continue to grow in use, you should treat battery safety with the same level of attention as cooking or electrical fire prevention.
“These fires can start silently and escalate rapidly. Taking proactive steps now can significantly reduce the likelihood of a fast moving battery fire that spreads,” explains Espinoza.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take much time or money to reduce the risk of fires in your home. Here are several strategies:
Ensure you have fire extinguishers
Choe recommends buying a couple of Class B or ABC fire extinguishers. Make sure there’s one on each floor of your home and ideally within 10 feet of where people regularly charge devices.
Choose the right smoke alarms
Invest in dual sensor smoke alarms as ionization smoke alarms alone are not enough because they detect only fast-flaming fires.
“Lithium-ion fires fall under both smoldering fires and fast-flaming fires. You need a photoelectric and ionization smoke alarm combined to be alerted to both types of fires,” explains Choe.
Pick one location for device charging
Charging every device in one centralized location might be your best bet. If possible, choose a hard surface away from bedrooms and doors.
“That way if something does happen, it contains itself to a designated area and you know where your exits are,” says Choe.
Follow manufacturer recommendations
According to Espinoza, each manufacturer has storage and charging suggestions that are important to consider. If something is unclear or you need guidance, reach out to the company directly.
Don’t charge devices overnight unattended
“This is especially important for e-bikes and e-scooters since their battery packs are much larger (some are 500Wh+),” explains Choe. They can generate quite a bit of heat while charging and quickly become hazardous.
Be careful with backup batteries
Keep backup batteries at a 40% to 60% charge level in a cool dry location. Ideally, they’ll be out of direct sunlight.
“If you don’t plan on using the battery for an extended period of time, check in on it every 30 days. Even if they’re not in use, lithium-ion batteries can degrade over time,” adds Choe.