Lithium-Ion Battery Safety at Home: A Few Simple Habits Can Reduce the Risk of Fire

Phones, laptops, cordless tools, e-bikes, scooters, tablets and countless other devices in our homes rely on lithium-ion batteries.

Most of the time, we barely think about them. We plug something in, walk away and expect it to be charged when we come back.

But where and how you charge a battery matters.

The good news is that reducing the risk doesn't require a major project. A quick walk through your home and a few simple changes can make charging safer.

Start With Where You Charge

Avoid charging devices on beds, couches, pillows or other soft surfaces.

Charging creates heat, and soft materials can trap that heat around the device. A hard, open surface such as a desk, counter or table allows heat to dissipate more easily.

Larger batteries deserve even more attention.

E-bikes, electric scooters and power tools contain significantly larger batteries than a phone or tablet. Give them some space while they are charging and keep them away from the routes you would use to leave the house in an emergency.