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Ever left your laptop, phone or cordless vacuum cleaner charging overnight? Of course you have – everyone has! But it’s good to remember that there has been a rise in lithium-ion-battery fires in Australia and there are some precautions to take and information to know to keep you and your family safe. According to Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), the number of lithium-ion-battery fires they attended in 2023 increased by around 66 per cent from 2022.
A lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery. “They’re found in many household products, including portable electronics such as laptops and phones, power tools, cordless vacuum cleaners and larger battery packs such as e-bikes and e-scooters,” Daniel O’Dea, Team Leader, Alternative and Renewable Energy Technologies, FRNSW, says.
Lithium-ion batteries can become dangerous when they’re damaged or when they break down. “They store a large amount of energy in a very small space and when they fail they enter a process known as thermal runaway,” Daniel explains. “The batteries begin to break down rapidly and release a toxic and flammable gas. That’s what’s different about these fires as opposed to something that just catches fire and burns. This gas usually ignites, leading to rapid fire development, jet-like flames, projectiles and, in some cases, explosions.”
There are a few reasons these batteries break down, including incorrect charging. Overcharging your battery – by leaving it in the charger all the time – or using incompatible or non-genuine charging equipment can lead to an electrical failure that can result in a fire.
“Always use the original charger that came with the device or buy a genuine replacement,” Daniel says. “And always use genuine batteries – don’t buy cheap ones just to save a buck. Many charging docks have indicators to alert if a battery is defective, if the charger shows this alert, you should immediately remove the battery from the charger. When charging, always charge when you’re awake and present. Don’t charge overnight. Lastly, try and charge away from living areas, and in areas where there’s a smoke detector.”
In terms of how to store lithium-ion batteries, you should keep them out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry space on a non-combustible surface such as concrete, enamel or steel, and away from combustible furnishings like beds, sofas and carpets.
Daniel suggests regular visual checks of your batteries. “Make sure they’re not swollen, there’s no electrolyte leaking out, and they’re not showing signs that water has got to them,” he says.
If you’ve dropped the battery and it was a significant impact or there’s visible damage, separate your battery from the rest of your tools and move it away from flammable, combustible areas. “Then get it checked or inspected,” Daniel adds. “Always take the batteries to authorised repairers for servicing and never try to service or make modifications yourself.”
Daniel doesn’t mince words when it comes to lithium battery fires: don’t tackle them yourself. “Get yourself and your family out as quickly as possible,” he says. “The vapour that comes off the battery looks like smoke and is flammable but it’s also very toxic, so just get out and dial 000.”
Yes, but you have to do it properly and be aware of not taking any compromised batteries to recycle stations. “Over the past two years, we’ve seen a more than 30 per cent increase in fires involving waste trucks and waste facilities, so definitely do not dispose of these batteries in your household waste,” Daniel says. “They must be safely disposed of at facilities with B-cycle [Australia’s official battery recycling scheme] facilities. For larger products, reach out to your council for how to safely dispose of them.”
You can recycle your batteries, including lithium-ion ones at Bunnings for free – read about how to handle your batteries safely when recycling before heading in-store.
The advice is clear: if a lithium-ion-battery fire breaks out, don’t fight it yourself – get out as the fumes are toxic.
Buying
✓ Always buy reputable lithium-battery brands and never ‘mix and match’ components.
Charging
⛌ Never charge lithium-battery-powered devices while you’re sleeping or away from site.
⛌ Don’t leave devices constantly on charge.
⛌ Don’t charge devices on beds, sofas or near highly flammable materials.
Storing
✓ Keep batteries and devices in a cool, dry area away from combustible materials.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
