Battery safety
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that can be found in household electrical items like mobile phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, e-bikes and e-scooters.
These batteries are designed to be safe, but if they overheat, are damaged or accidentally overcharged they could ignite, burn and in some cases explode.
To avoid fires from lithium-ion batteries:
- always read the manufacturer’s safety instructions
- use the charger that came with your device, and only buy genuine replacement batteries and chargers from trusted retailers
- don’t leave a lithium-ion battery on charge overnight or when away from the device
- only charge on a flat, solid and stable surface, away from your escape routes
- unplug your charger once the device is fully charged
- never cover chargers or charging devices
- avoid storing, using or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures
Damaged or faulty lithium-ion batteries are a fire risk.
Look out for these warning signs:
- feels unusually hot when charging or in use
- swelling, bulging, or leaking liquid
- burning or acrid smell
- hissing sound
- the device won’t hold a charge properly
- damage to the casing, such as a dent, that could have affected the battery on the inside
If a battery shows any of these signs, stop using it immediately, and safely dispose of it.
Lithium-ion batteries are a main cause of waste fires and can be extremely dangerous when thrown away with general rubbish, or mixed with recyclable materials like card, metal and plastic.
Remember to:
- follow recycling instructions from your local council and always keep electrical items separate from other household waste
- never put batteries in your general rubbish bin or with other recyclable materials like card, metals and plastics
- take unwanted or damaged electrical items and lithium-ion batteries to your local household waste recycling centre
- non-removable batteries should be recycled with the device
- removable batteries should be recycled separately from the device and can be disposed of at a battery recycling point or household waste recycling centre
