Lithium-ion batteries power laptops, scooters and deadly fires

By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR

A quick look around most homes will reveal how many personal electronic devices we all own. Cell phones, laptops and tablets, cordless hand tools, hoverboards, scooters, E-bikes, electric toothbrushes, vaping devices, and solar power backup storage are all powered by rechargeable lithium batteries.

They’re convenient, usually come with the device, anåd are safe for everyday use.

“Most of the problems are when people use replacement batteries that aren’t for that piece of equipment, or they use the wrong charger,” said Battalion Chief Anthony Van Nes, Bluffton Township Fire Department’s training chief. “Each specific item has its own charger. Even though the plugs might look the same, you have to use that particular item. People when they go to replace it either go to whatever website and buy the cheapest one there is even though the factory one is the proper one.”

The more sophisticated electronic devices often have what Van Nes called fail-safes: a smart computer chip inside that tells the charger to stop charging when the device is fully powered. Many others – like scooters, E-bikes, hand tool batteries, golf carts – do not. Nor do any of the cheaper replacement batteries for things like computers.

A fire in Charles County, Md., was caused by an unattended Dewalt tool battery plugged into a truck inside a garage. The result was the loss of the truck, garage and the whole house.

“It keeps on charging and charging until it’s hot. You’re working on your laptop, it’s on your desk or on your lap, and it gets hot,” said Van Nes. “Once the charge is done, whether it’s a tablet or an electric golf cart, if it’s plugged in all the time, over time, the batteries are going to break down. Personally, I don’t charge anything when I’m not there. My vacuum cleaner has a lithium battery. Once it’s charged, I unplug it. I wouldn’t charge it overnight.”

Van Nes said there have been no fires caused by lithium-ion batteries within the BTFD community, so there were no local photos available. Although the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has a detailed section on lithium batteries, neither did they have images of such

BOARD-CERTIFIED, FELLOWSHIP-TRAINED GASTROENTEROLOGIST