With lithium (ion) batteries part of so many things in our homes, including mobile phones, power tools, eBike, and increasingly home storage batteries, there has been a surge in lithium-ion battery-related fires across Australia.
Dr Adam Best is a Team Leader specialising in advanced lithium (ion) battery technologies and safety, with a strong public voice on consumer battery risks and industry innovation. Here Adam shares his tips and tricks.
All quotes below are available for use by media. They can be attributed to Dr Adam Best, Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO.
What are lithium-ion batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries are the lightest and most energy dense type of battery, making them the preferred choice for nearly all of our rechargeable electronic devices, including e-scooters, laptops, power banks, phones, vapes, vacuum cleaners, power tools, home batteries and, of course, electric vehicles.
Lithium-ion batteries are chosen to power electric devices so that they can be cord-free and portable when in use.
Lithium-ion batteries can pose a fire risk if not manufactured, maintained or used correctly.
Lithium-ion batteries are safe when manufactured and used correctly, but they're not foolproof. Overcharging, physical damage, excessive heat, or using incompatible or damaged chargers and/or cables can all increase the risk of fire.
Single-use, non-rechargeable batteries used in devices such as calculators, wall clocks, many TV remotes, some kid's toys and the like are generally alkaline in nature and the fire risk is significantly lower.
Why are lithium-ion batteries catching fire?
Battery fires are becoming more common because there are more and more lithium-ion batteries being used across a plethora of devices leading to billions of batteries on the market. Even 0.1% or less of these batteries failing will lead to many fires (and TikTok videos). Many of the devices flooding the Australian market are being bought online from companies where manufacturing and compliance standards are not meeting Australia's safety regulations.
How can you best protect yourself when buying a lithium-ion battery operated product?
There are three main aspects to the safety of lithium-ion batteries. Firstly, manufacturing quality products with the correct safety features that meet Australian standards. Secondly, making sure these products are compliant with Australian standards and that we can measure them here in Australia. Lastly, consumers looking after their battery-powered devices, checking their quality, charging them appropriately and getting them checked out if something doesn't look right.
Consumers should treat lithium-ion batteries with the same caution they would a gas bottle or a power tool. Follow the instructions, don't tamper with them and dispose of them in properly marked bins.
Not all batteries are created equal. Cheaper devices often omit safety features like thermal cut-offs or flame-retardant casings. That's where the real danger lies. You get what you pay for really applies here.
Keeping your home safe with lithium-ion battery devices
There are several things you can do to reduce the risk of lithium-ion batteries malfunctioning:
- Monitor your devices as they charge for swelling, overheating or leaking.
- Look after your devices, chargers and cables and check them regularly. Get them looked at or replaced by an appropriate repairer as per their instructions or put them in approved recycle bins if they're intact.
- If a battery or charger needs replacing, buy only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) battery/charger.
- Charge your devices on non-flammable surfaces and in a space suitable should an unexpected event occur. If they overheat, they can set fire to the surface and other flammable materials nearby. So don't charge your phone on your bed or on carpet, for example.
- Do not modify your devices or batteries. Attempting to add larger or alternative batteries to try to make your device to run longer can impact the battery management system that manages the battery and can degrade its safety features.
- When any battery is at its end of life, put them in approved recycle bins found at council facilities and B-cycle drop off points . Do not put them in household bins. Lithium-ion battery fires have occurred in bins, rubbish trucks and recycling facilities because batteries have been disposed of through household waste, putting workers at risk and damaging infrastructure and the environment.
- When a lithium-ion battery fails it can undergo what's called thermal runaway. This occurs when a battery increases to a critical temperature and catches fire and you can't stop it. It's not like a normal fire. If a small device, like a phone, catches fire drop it into water.
- For larger batteries, in the event of battery leaking chemicals or catching fire in a confined space, move everyone to safety and call 000 to alert authorities. You should let them know it's a battery fire and what the item is. Battery smoke is very toxic and can cause serious injury and even death.
Disposing of lithium-ion batteries
Improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries can lead to fires in rubbish trucks or landfills. Recycling them isn't just good for the environment, it's also safer.
No batteries, especially damaged ones or those at the end of life, should be disposed of in household rubbish. Battery recycling drop-off points are available at many larger retailers. Find a B-cycle Drop off point .
Travel and transport
If you have flown lately, you would have heard airlines asking you to keep spare batteries close at hand. Always carry lithium-ion batteries in your hand luggage, not checked baggage. If something starts to go wrong, you want to be able to see it and act quickly. Alert the plane staff immediately.
