Lithium-ion battery fire emphasizes hidden household hazards

Jefferson County, Ala. (WBMA) – The close call of a family with a lithium-ion battery fire has underlined the growing risks associated with these common household items.

Curtis Davis and his family returned to their house in the Huguley Road on April 14th to find, such as smoke detectors booming and smoke that filled the air.

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“When we came home, we noticed that smoke detectors went out, I looked inside and saw that it was smoky, so I didn't want to open the door,” said Curtis Davis. His quick thinking and the quick reaction of the Fultondal fire brigade contributed to preventing a more serious catastrophe.

Fire chief Justin McKenzie emphasized the importance of willingness. “Make sure you are prepared, work smoke detectors, remember to replace the batteries every six months and ten years. The detector must be replaced. Remember to close the door. Oxygen helps to ignite the fire even further.

The fire was attributed to a lithium-ion battery by a jumping box in the kitchen. “It was pretty small like the size of my cell phone and caused the kitchen to flames,” said Davis. Fortunately, the fire was included when it burned through a waterline and the flames deleted.

“Batteries here lately we have managed many different types of batteries, especially lithium ion batteries.

According to Brandon Mills, a program manager at Alabama Fire College, battery beaches are becoming increasingly common.

“There are now more of these products out here. If there is a product that has been manufactured since 2020, there is a very high probability that it contains a lithium-ion battery,” said Mills.

Mills advised manufacturers certified chargers and was careful with physical damage to batteries such as punctures or swelling, which can lead to fires.

“If you calculate you, you always want to use the certified charger equipped with the product. If you mix and adapt these chargers or change the charger or the battery, you run a very high risk of fire,” said Mills.

Mills explained some warning signs that you should pay attention to: “If you see a white discharge from the battery that fails from the battery, you also want to listen to pop or hiss. This is the gas ventilation from the battery cell and the smell is an electrical smell that is a bit fruity.”

He also warned against eliminating old batteries in the garbage and recommending Call2recycle.org for safe tax offices.

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According to Mills, lithium-ion batteries present the challenges you should emphasize.

“The batteries themselves are very difficult to extinguish. It uses plenty of water, what is needed to extinguish these fires and are often housed in a battery housing that does not allow water to be inserted into the battery,” he said.

Mills also advised to be aware of where devices are charged in their house.

Curtis Davis thought about the incident from his personal experience and said: “If we leave the house, make sure that everything is plugged in, even chargers, something small, who would have thought that it could do something like that.”