Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Prevention Guide: Safety Tips for Homeowners

Lithium-ion batteries power many everyday devices, from smartphones and laptops to power tools and electric vehicles. They offer benefits like enhanced efficiency and longer-lasting power. Unfortunately, they can also overheat and catch fire with improper use, storage, and disposal. In 2024, these batteries contributed to 279 fires in New York City alone.

With Fire Prevention Week approaching in October,  now is a great time to check the batteries and charging devices in your home. A few simple safety habits can help you use these devices properly and reduce the chance of a lithium-ion battery fire.

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7 Tips to Reduce Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Risks

These best practices cover the most important parts of battery safety, from charging and storage to choosing, inspecting, and disposing of batteries.

1. Use the Correct Charger and Power Adapter

Always use the charger and power adapter that came with your device or one recommended by the manufacturer. Using an incompatible or damaged charger can cause overheating and increase the risk of fire.

2. Avoid Charging Devices on Beds or Under Pillows

Keep chargers and devices away from combustible materials such as bedding, blankets, pillows, clothing, and curtains. Soft surfaces like couches and beds can trap heat around charging devices, increasing fire risk. That’s why it’s important to charge devices on hard, stable surfaces away from flammable items.

For larger items that rely on lithium-ion batteries, like e-bikes and scooters, the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) recommends charging and storing them outside when possible.

3. Don’t Leave Charging Batteries Unattended

Charging is a particularly risky time for lithium-ion batteries. While it’s tempting to plug in a phone, laptop, e-bike, or other device at bedtime and let it charge until morning, the FDNY advises against charging lithium-ion batteries overnight. When you’re awake during charging, you’re more likely to notice signs of a problem.

Avoid charging batteries at temperatures below 32°F or above 105°F. Unplug devices once fully charged, and avoid leaving batteries or devices charging overnight.

4. Store Spare Batteries in a Safe Location

In New York City in 2023, 59% of lithium-ion battery fires occurred when the batteries were not charging. Following lithium-ion battery storage best practices can help reduce fire risk when your batteries are not in use.

Excessive heat can damage lithium-ion batteries and increase the chance of a fire, so keep batteries and battery-powered devices away from:

• Direct sunlight
• Radiators
• Heating equipment
• Metal objects
• Flammable items

Store spare batteries in a cool, dry location at room temperature whenever possible. Never leave a battery-powered device or spare battery in a hot vehicle.

5. Check Batteries for Signs of Damage

Regularly inspecting your batteries and devices for signs of damage or uncontrolled heating is another way to prevent lithium-ion battery fires and explosions.

Check for warning signs such as:

• Visual changes – Swelling, bulging, cracking, punctures, or dents
• Leaking – Wet spots or liquid leaks
• Unusual odors – Chemical, sweet, or burning smells
• Strange sounds – Hissing, popping, or crackling
• Excessive heat – Unusual warmth during use, charging, or while idle
• Visible smoke – Wispy gray or white smoke
•  

If you notice any of these signs, unplug the device, turn it off, and stop using it immediately. Move the device away from anything that might catch fire if it’s safe to do so. For a damaged battery that is not an immediate fire risk, contact the manufacturer or your local household hazardous waste program for instructions on safe disposal. If you see smoke or flames, leave the area and call 911.

6. Buy Certified Batteries and Devices

Choose certified batteries and rechargeable devices from reputable sources, and don’t use replacement batteries that aren’t compatible with your device. “A malfunctioning or uncertified lithium-ion battery can explode at any moment, charging or not,” shared FDNY Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker in 2025. 

Look for safety standards like the UL certification, a mark indicating that the product has been tested according to nationally recognized benchmarks.

7. Properly Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries

Never put lithium-ion batteries in your household trash or recycling bin. Batteries that are damaged or crushed during collection and processing can ignite, causing fires in garbage trucks and landfills that threaten public safety.

To dispose of used batteries that show no signs of damage, place tape over their ends and terminals. This can help prevent accidental discharges and fires. Then take them to a certified battery recycling center or household hazardous waste program that accepts lithium-ion batteries. Visit The Battery Network to find drop-off locations near you.

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety FAQs

Is It Safe to Have Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home?

It’s generally safe to have lithium-ion batteries in your home if you follow proper storage, use, and charging instructions. You can reduce the risk of overheating, smoke, fire, or explosion by following manufacturer instructions, keeping batteries away from heat sources, charging devices properly, and replacing batteries that show signs of damage.

Can Lithium-Ion Batteries Start a Fire When Not Plugged In?

Yes. Though the risk is lower when a device is unplugged, lithium-ion batteries can still catch fire when not in use. The primary hazard is thermal runaway, a chain reaction in which a battery cell overheats and releases energy uncontrollably, potentially causing fire, smoke, or an explosion. That’s why it’s important to store batteries away from heat and combustible materials, and never use batteries that are swollen, damaged, leaking, or showing other warning signs.

What Do I Do if My Battery Is Hot?

If a lithium-ion battery becomes unusually hot, stop using it immediately. Move it away from anything that could catch fire when safe to do so. Smoke, flames, leaking, swelling, popping, or hissing are all signs of a dangerous battery problem. If you notice these warning signs, leave the area and call 911. Lithium-ion batteries can release flammable gases, and batteries that have been involved in fires are capable of reigniting.

How Do I Put Out a Lithium-Ion Battery Fire?

Lithium-ion battery fires can involve intense heat, toxic gases, and the potential for reignition. The safest option is to leave the area, close doors behind you, and call 911 as soon as you can do so safely. Do not stay inside or attempt to move the burning device. Toxic gases can fill the room, rapid explosions can occur, and spilled toxic chemicals can cause severe burns or spread the fire to other combustibles.

Fire Prevention Practices Help Protect Your New York Home

Preventing a lithium-ion battery fire starts with small, everyday habits. Using the right charger, keeping batteries away from heat, and disposing of batteries properly can all reduce fire risks in your home. By making battery safety part of your regular fire prevention routine, you can help protect your household and belongings.

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