GREENSBORO, N.C. — A home in Tennessee was gutted by a fire started by a battery inside a flashlight. It's crazy to think this house is a total loss, because of something we buy to make other things work.
Lithium-ion batteries come in all shapes and sizes and are commonly used in items like smartphones, laptops, E-scooters, e-bikes, toys, and even cars. Knock-off batteries are sold cheap and they're dangerous.
"The checking that label going into the store and ensuring that this has been a tested battery will help protect you," Dinah Wade, Williamson County Fire Rescue.
The National Fire Protection Association has a tip sheet about these kinds of batteries. There are specific recommendations for e-bike charging so the batteries don't overheat and start a fire.
Also, you should:
NEVER charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or couch
NEVER keep charging a device after the battery is fully charged
Any Lithium-ion battery you buy need to have a UL label on it. You'll want to see it on the packaging, not the battery itself.
"Use the charger that comes with the product. If you're using a charger for something else, a lot of chargers that rated at different voltages, which can also cause batteries to malfunction," said Wade.
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