Battery Fire Safety This Christmas By Kevin Howlette, EHS International
Christmas is the biggest time of year for lithium ion powered gifts, and many people do not realise just how many every day presents contain powerful rechargeable batteries. The obvious items are there, but so are the ones most people forget about.
This includes:
- E bikes and e scooters
- Hoverboards
- Power banks and portable chargers
- Wireless headphones and earbuds
- Smart watches and fitness trackers
- Tablets, mobilephones and handheld gaming devices
- Drones,cameras and action cams
- Remote controlled toys, motorised rideons and children’s gadgets
- Rechargeable DIY tools and hobby kits
- Heated blankets, heatedclothing and hand warmers
- LED candles, festivedecorations and novelty lighting
Nearly every home will have at least one of these under the tree. Most are safe when used correctly, but small mistakes can create very real fire risks. These four steps will help keep households safe throughout the season, and they also highlight challenges faced by a range of industries that work with these products every day.
Fire authorities now rate bedrooms as one of the highest risk rooms in the house, with 5 or more items charging at any one time and in some cases over 8 items.
Buy well
Choose reputable brands that follow recognised safety standards. Be cautious of deals that seem unrealistically cheap or products sold through online platforms where the origin, certification and quality cannot be verified. In many cases the price is low because the safety testing is limited. Choose the best quality you can reasonably afford. Safety starts long before the present is opened.
Charge with care
Only use the charger supplied with the device or one officially approved by the manufacturer. Unapproved or mismatched chargers can deliver the wrong voltage or current, which can cause the battery to overheat or charge unevenly. Many fires start during charging, often because people use old chargers lying around the house, mix up cables between different devices, or rely on cheap replacements bought online.
Avoid charging batteries on beds, couches or other soft furnishings, as these materials trap heat. Place devices on a solid, non-combustible surface with plenty of ventilation. Also look at our site for lithium charging bags. Never charge overnight or leave devices charging while you are out of the house. Lithium ion batteries are most vulnerable while charging, and early warning signs are easily missed if no one is nearby.
If a charger becomes unusually warm, if a cable is frayed, or if the device fails to charge consistently, stop using it and replace the equipment with approved components.
Avoid damage
Batteries can fail if crushed, punctured or exposed to heat or water. Many people do not realise how easily this damage can occur.
A fall from a height or a scooter tipping over at speed can stress or deform internal cells even when the casing shows no obvious sign of impact. A swelling battery is a damaged battery.
Batteries hidden in scooter footplates, bicycle frames or children’s ride ons can be damaged without leaving visible marks. Storing devices in hot sheds, leaving them in vehicles during cold weather, or placing them near heaters can also affect battery stability over time. Do not attempt to modify or repair a battery powered device yourself. If it looks damaged or behaves unusually, stop using it.
Escape Routes
Make sure you do not block escape routes at any time, particularly at Christmas, as charging devices, Christmas trees and decorations can all end up along these routes in common areas in flats and rented accommodation.
Plan your escape with your family and leave torches, and glow sticks in areas you can get easy access too. Leave your keys in safe but reachable locations..
Dispose responsibly
A battery that swells, smells unusual, leaks fluid or becomes hotter than normal should be replaced without delay. In Ireland, the safest place to dispose of used or damaged batteries is at your local civic amenity site, your nearest WEEE Ireland drop off point, or any retailer that sells batteries, as shops must take back small batteries for recycling at no cost. Many supermarkets, hardware stores and electrical retailers provide battery collection tubes at their entrances.
Never place batteries in your household bin. They can ignite when crushed inside waste trucks, especially when mixed with paper, packaging or other combustible materials. Waste operators in Ireland report regular bin lorry fires caused by hidden batteries. It is also important never to burn batteries in a fireplace, stove or outdoor fire, as the internal cells can explode with significant force.
Correct disposal protects your home, your community, and the people who work in waste collection and recycling.
Why Organisations Must Pay Attention
These same risks apply on a much larger scale within industry. Many businesses store, charge, transport or handle lithium ion powered products, often in bulk. The sectors most exposed include:
Logistics and warehousing – Large volumes of goods containing hidden batteries, coupled with returns, repackaging and mechanical handling, create a high risk of accidental damage. A single damaged battery in stored stock can escalate rapidly.
Retailers and wholesalers – Seasonal surges lead to large quantities of battery powered goods stored together. Customer returns with unseen battery damage are a common hazard.
Manufacturing and assembly – Charging stations for tools, warm working environments and vibration can all stress batteries. Battery powered automation also increases the energy load on site.
Construction and engineering – Temporary charge points, weather exposure and frequent drops or impacts make lithium powered tools a significant fire concern.
Vehicle and fleet operators – Electric vehicles, forklifts, pallet trucks and charging hubs introduce both charging and impact risks.
Hospitality and housing providers – Guests or residents charging e bikes, scooters or power banks in bedrooms has caused several severe fires internationally.
Waste and recycling facilities – Incorrectly discarded batteries regularly ignite in collection vehicles and sorting systems.
These industries increasingly rely on lithium ion technology, and without structured controls the risks can be substantial.
How EHS International Can Assist
Whether supporting the public or guiding organisations, EHS International provides comprehensive expertise through our consultancy, training and R and D capabilities, including:
- Lithium-ion battery fire risk assessments
- Storage, segregation and charging layout design
- Thermal runaway prevention and response planning
- Fire detection and suppression system guidance
- Staff training on recognition of battery hazards
- Battery incident investigation
- Fire behaviour testing and consultancy at our R and D Fire Centre
We help organisations understand the science of thermal runaway, assess their onsite conditions and implement practical, reliable controls.
At EHS International we know families are trying to balance safety with the excitement of Christmas gifting, and businesses are trying to manage complex risks behind the scenes. These straightforward actions and industry measures make a significant difference in preventing battery related fires and protecting both homes and workplaces.
If you have any concerns or would like advice on lithium-ion battery risks, our team is always available to help. Contact us at any of our locations.
Cork Office | Phone: +353 (0)21 206 6006
Dublin Office | Phone: +353 1 905 8899
London Office | Phone: +44 204 534 7550
