A device that you may have dozens of in your home could also be your greatest risk factor when it comes fires.
This is Fire Prevention Week, with this year’s theme being the afe usage of lithium-ion batteries, with the slogan “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”
Many electronics we use in our homes every day use these kinds of rechargeable batteries including smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, and toys.
You may literally have dozens of them in your home, and improper use or storage can easily cause an explosion or a fire.
When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, take time to research it and try to choose something that has been properly safety-tested.
Most importantly, practice safe charging.
Don’t charge the battery under a pillow, on a bed, or on a couch. Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.
When you no longer want it, get it properly disposed of or recycled safely.
Lithium-ion batteries help make our days better and more entertaining, but we don’t want the next movie we see about a major fire to be one with your own family in a starring role.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
(PAUL MARTIN)
