As summer begins and temperatures rise, it is important to once again remember how to safely use electrical devices containing batteries. High air temperatures and direct sunlight can increase the risk of poorly maintained devices catching fire or even exploding. Such incidents most often result from overheated or damaged lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used today not only in smartphones, but also in scooters, vacuum cleaners, laptops, and other household devices. Improper charging, poor ventilation, or the use of non-original chargers can pose a danger not only to property but also to life. The Fire and Rescue Department urges residents to be vigilant and responsible. Even a small spark can cause a major fire. By following simple yet important safety rules, we can prevent accidents.

Lithium-Ion Batteries – an Invisible Danger at Home

The main risk associated with lithium-ion batteries is their unpredictable heating and ignition. “If a battery is damaged or improperly charged, it can begin to heat up, emit smoke, and even catch fire or explode. Such a fire develops quickly, emits toxic smoke, and is difficult to extinguish,” says Saulius Tamulevičius, Deputy Director of the Fire and Rescue Department. According to him, dangers can be identified by several signs, such as unusual heating, especially during charging, battery swelling or deformation, a specific smell, or emitting smoke. Also, if the device stops working but the battery continues to heat. “If you notice any of these signs, you should stop using it, disconnect (remove) the battery (if safe to do so), and take it to an open area away from flammable materials,” emphasizes S.Tamulevičius.

What to Do if a Battery Heats Up or Catches Fire

“First of all, assess whether it is safe to act yourself or whether you should immediately call firefighters and evacuate the premises,” advises Saulius Tamulevičius. If you can safely react, you should, if possible, move the burning device outside (only if it is safe and without direct hand contact), immediately call 112 even if the fire seems small, make sure the device is disconnected from the power supply before extinguishing with water, and if there is a fire extinguisher nearby, you can use it to try to put out the fire. According to him, most household fire extinguishers (types A, B, C) are suitable for initial extinguishing, but due to the very intense burning of lithium batteries, their effectiveness may be lower than for other materials. Therefore, the most important thing is to prevent the fire from spreading and try to isolate the burning lithium battery from nearby flammable materials.

Simple Safety Rules Are Critically Important

“Do not charge batteries unattended, especially at night; do not use damaged or non-original chargers; do not charge batteries on flammable surfaces (beds, furniture, carpets); do not charge devices in poorly ventilated or damp places; do not use damaged devices with swollen batteries,” lists S.Tamulevičius as the key safety principles. If a fire breaks out at night, the most important thing is to wake up household members as quickly as possible and evacuate safely. Report the fire by calling the emergency number 112. When evacuating, if possible, close the door to the burning room – this can slow the spread of fire. Try to extinguish only if you clearly understand you can do so safely. According to Tamulevičius, it is very important to install smoke detectors, which help to detect fires in time, especially at night when the danger is greatest. Never leave batteries charging overnight; fires caused by them can spread very quickly and pose a serious threat not only to property but also to human life.

A Convenient Used Battery Collection System Has Been Created

The head of the Electronic Distributors Association (EPA), Linas Ivanauskas, points out that as long as residents do not get used to properly sorting electronic waste and batteries, the risk of fires will remain constant. “Scooters explode while charging, and batteries thrown into municipal waste containers can later cause fires at sorting or recycling facilities. This is a real threat we are increasingly encountering,” he says. According to Ivanauskas, some people still hold the attitude: “I’ll throw it where I want – it’s my thing, my rules.” However, this mindset, he says, demonstrates a lack of responsibility in all areas of life. “In the eyes of such people, both order and disorder are bad. They don’t accept restrictions or rules until disaster strikes them personally,” notes Ivanauskas. He urges the public to sort responsibly as a learned life lesson, not as a forced obligation. Only in this way can we avoid dangerous situations and ensure that the growing amount of electronics does not become a constant problem for the environment, people, and businesses.

The Electronic Distributors Association (EPA) actively invites the public to responsibly manage electronic waste. Containers for small electronic waste can be found in shopping centers, libraries, various cultural, educational, and administrative institutions.

For more than ten years, EPA has been collecting electronic waste, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, range hoods, batteries, accumulators, and other electronic waste from residents’ homes free of charge. To arrange a pickup, simply call +370 695 55111 or visit the website https://epa.lt/nemokamas-buitines-technikos-isvezimas/. There you will also find a list of electronic waste collection points.

“We want to encourage people to understand that every improperly disposed battery can pose a threat to nature or even cause a fire. Therefore, we urge residents to be responsible and choose a safe way to dispose of these wastes. It is simple, convenient, and very important,” says Linas Ivanauskas.