This week is National Burn Awareness Week, so here are some precautions to take while cruisin’. E-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards have grown in popularity in recent years, but local fire departments and the CPSC have seen a growing threat of destructive and deadly fires due to them. The lithium-ion batteries in these products combine a flammable electrolyte with significant stored energy. If a lithium-ion battery cell creates more heat than it can effectively disperse, it can lead to a rapid uncontrolled release of heat energy that can result in a fire or explosion. Also, because these batteries generate their own oxygen, they can be very difficult to extinguish.
Take the following steps to prevent fires:
- Only use products that have been designed, manufactured, and certified for compliance with the applicable safety standards;
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper charging and unplug the device when done;
- Be present and awake when charging products and only use the supplied charger;
- Only use an approved replacement battery pack; and
- Do not throw lithium batteries into the trash or general recycling. Take them to your local battery recycler or hazardous waste collection center.
Learn more on how to stay safe at the CPSC Micromobility Devices page.
