New Canaan Fire Marshal Offers Tips To Prevent Battery-Related Fires

NEW CANAAN, CT — On Wednesday, Fire Marshal Paul Payne provided a list of tips to help New Canaan residents avoid fires connected to lithium-ion batteries.

In a news release, Payne said problems with these types of batteries occur when they fail.

"The battery goes into the state of thermal runaway," Payne said in a news release. "Thermal runaway is an uncontrollable self-heating of the battery cells. The process creates high temperatures, releases flammable [and] toxic gases, and potentially causes explosions of the cells. This phenomenon can ignite nearby combustibles, ultimately causing a larger fire in one’s home or place of business."

According to Payne, the causes of battery failure are mechanical, thermal or electrical abuse. Mechanical damage can occur from dropping or puncturing the batteries.

Thermal damage can occur if the battery is exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures. Electrical abuse occurs when a non-compatible charger is used or the battery is overcharged, Payne said.

"Some early symptoms of battery failure are a change in the efficiency of the battery or the battery becomes very hot during charging," Payne said. "The device will take more time to charge, may not even get to a full charge, or will not be operating as long. The device will be hot to the touch, especially towards the end of the charging cycle."

Payne urged residents to dispose of the batteries properly once they are no longer viable. The town of New Canaan accepts lithium ion batteries, which should be put in the electronics section.

"Do not put the batteries in the trash or general recycling," Payne said, "and do not pile them on top of each other."

The following tips to prevent fires connected to these types of batteries were provided by the New Canaan Fire Marshal's office:

• Always follow manufacturer’s instructions for proper use.
• Only use the battery and charging cord that is designed for the device you are using.
• Keep combustibles away from charging or fully charged batteries (they need to
• dissipate heat).
• Remove batteries from the charger when fully charged.
• Store batteries in a cool, dry place. Do not allow batteries to freely roll around in the "junk drawer" where they can contact metal items and short out.
• Inspect batteries for cracks, bulging, hissing noises, or odors.
• Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch.
• Charge your e-bike in a flat, dry area away from children, direct sunlight, liquids and tripping hazards. Make sure the bike is not at risk of falling over when charging.