Lithium-ion battery safety highlighted during Fire Prevention Week

ST. PAUL — The Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal division is reminding Minnesotans that everyday fire prevention starts at home during Fire Prevention Week, Sunday through Saturday, Oct. 4-10.

This year’s campaign focuses on safe practices around lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in appliances and tools, from phones and laptops to power tools and e-bikes.

“Lithium-ion batteries are in so many of the things we use every day that most people probably don’t even think about them anymore,” said State Fire Marshal Dan Krier in a news release.

These rechargeable batteries are generally safe but can be dangerous.

“Lithium-ion battery fires are actually really tough to fight due to the fact that once the battery packs go into what's called thermal runaway, they actually create their own oxygen,” said Brainerd Deputy Fire Chief Dave Cox in an interview Tuesday. “The heat that they discharge is very, very, very high, and they're hard to put out.”

Cox pointed to a scooter fire on a trail in Baxter last year.

“The subject was riding it, and all of a sudden, it started spraying out smoke and some fire,” he said. “Luckily, the individual was not injured. But if that scooter had been plugged in in a garage or in a house, could have caused a major fire.”

According to the Department of Public Safety, there have been at least 225 fires and three deaths in the last five years attributed to lithium-ion batteries in Minnesota.

It’s not just people using larger equipment like scooters and e-bikes who are at risk of these fires. Following safety guidelines can reduce fire risk when using smaller devices found in most homes.

“It's important to make sure that when you do charge your phones, laptops, tablets, things like that, that you're charging them on a hard surface. Don't charge them on the couch or put them on the bed or a blanket or things like that, because those devices can get warm while they're charging,” Cox said.

Cox recommended only using the charger and cord that came with a device or a manufacturer-approved alternative. You should also replace a battery if it becomes hot, swells, leaks, begins to smell or starts making unusual noises.

And those used batteries – or devices with batteries inside –shouldn’t be thrown into the trash.

“We had a garbage truck fire last year that we had to dump the trash onto the road to try to put the fire out, and we found a battery pack for a power tool that had been damaged and actually had caused a fire,” Cox said.

To dispose of batteries responsibly, bring them to a trusted source that can take care of them, such as a store or a business, or to your local hazardous waste facility.

As a precaution for any type of fire, regularly replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries and check their expiration dates.

You can find more fire prevention tips on the Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal’s website.

Stella Mayerhoff is a Report for America corps member, covering Minnesota’s headwaters region for KAXE in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Report for America places talented journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and regions.