Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is warning that lithium-ion battery-related fires have risen significantly over the past five years in the county. Lithium-ion batteries can be found in nearly every piece of technology which we use daily, like mobile phones, iPads, laptops, vapes, as well as electric-powered vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters. You may be at risk if you do not correctly charge these forms of technology.
As of September 2024, the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service has attended to 55 battery-related fires. In comparison, last year, they attended 53 incidents; in 2022, only 20; and in 2021, only 13. Surrey County Council has warned that this number will only rise year on year as lithium-ion batteries can be found in nearly all of the technology we use daily. Fires caused by these batteries can spread quickly and be difficult to extinguish.
Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire, or even explode if they are allowed to overheat, if they are damaged, improperly stored, or charged incorrectly. If you have any technology such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets or vapes, you may be at risk. Particularly if these technologies have been damaged, such as a severely cracked screen or backing, it is important to be aware that these devices pose a significantly increased risk of catching fire.
In October of last year, a bin lorry ‘erupted into flames’ in Tandridge and cost the local council £17,000 in damages after someone put a lithium-ion battery in their bin. The fire spread quickly, and smoke poured out the vehicle, luckily no one was hurt, but according to Tandridge District Council: “This incident not only risked the lives of the collection crew, it also put the fire service in danger.” In the wake of this fire, Tandridge District Council issued a warning to their residents of the grave consequences of putting technology with lithium-ion batteries in the wrong bin.
According to the Environmental Services Association, in 2022 lithium-ion batteries were responsible for around 48% (over 200) of all waste fires which occurred in the UK. This costs £158 million annually to waste operators and fire services, and the smoke caused by these fires can have an impact on the environment if they get big enough.
While there is no way to confirm what piece of technology the lithium-ion battery in the lorry fire came from, fires can be started with lithium-ion batteries in all forms of technology. Lithium-ion batteries can now be made as small as a few millimetres in dimensions, so even your smallest pieces of technology could be a threat.
In many cases fires caused by these batteries could have been avoided had the people involved been better educated on the warning signs, how to deal with them, and how to safely dispose of these batteries.
The Surrey Fire and Rescue Service advises all residents to take the following precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their property:
- Use the Right Charger: Always use the manufacturer-approved charger for your device, and avoid off-brand alternatives.
- Do not Overcharge: You can overheat the battery by leaving technology on charge when it has already reached 100 per cent charge.
- Store Safely: Store devices containing lithium-ion batteries away from direct sunlight, extreme heat, and flammable materials, as well as away from exits and hallways. Importantly, E-bikes and E-scooters, are strongly advised to be charged in an outside location away from doorways or main means of escape from residential properties.
- Inspect for Damage: Stop using the device immediately and dispose of the battery safely if your battery shows signs of swelling, leakage, or general damage.
- Dispose Properly: Never throw lithium-ion batteries in household waste. It is crucial that you dispose of them at dedicated recycling centres or designated drop-off points.