Powering my cellphone? A lithium-ion battery. E-bike? Lithium-ion. Same goes for my iPad, MacBook, electric toothbrush, portable battery pack. I could go on.
The same goes for your tech. As it starts to warm up, we need to talk about safety. Fires from our little gadgets can get out of control quickly.
Here’s the know-how to protect yourself from a major battery blow-up. And, yes, it’s the reason I’m very particular about where I keep my e-bike.
Hot battery horror stories
Lithium-ion batteries squeeze a ton of battery life into a tiny package. But they’re made with flammable materials, making them even more dangerous when misused or improperly stored.
Larger tech, like e-bikes and EVs, use much bigger batteries than a smartphone. So when a fire happens, yup, it’s way more dangerous.
Flammable materials inside the batteries can experience “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction that essentially puts a battery in an uncontrollable, self-heating state. That’s when explosions happen.
Thermal runaway gets triggered by a number of things, like a battery being overheated or punctured. It can also be caused by an electrical fault, like a short circuit or manufacturing defects. That’s why I always warn you to stay away from cheap tech!
Battery safety 101 for laptops
- Don’t leave your laptop in a hot car, by a sunny window or near a portable heater.
- If it feels hot, shut it down and give it a break. Pop out the battery if you can.
- Consider using an app to monitor your laptop’s temperature in real time. CoreTemp and Real Temp for Windows are good options. Anything higher than 176 degrees Fahrenheit is bad news.
Have an old phone or other device with a lithium battery? Don’t just toss it in a drawer. It’s worth buying a fireproof bag to store it.
Battery safety 101 for e-bikes
- Before buying an e-bike, make sure it is UL 2271 certified. This means the battery has passed rigorous tests, from how it handles heat to its durability if dropped, ensuring it’s less likely to short-circuit or overcharge. You’ll find the UL 2271 certification mark on the battery itself or in the product’s manual.
- Use the charging cord that came with the e-bike and don’t buy an aftermarket charger — it’s too risky.
- Store your e-bike somewhere cool and keep the battery out of direct sunlight. Don’t charge your e-bike in your garage or house.
- Don’t leave your e-bike plugged in when you’re not home or overnight. And if the battery overheats, starts to smell or look funny, or begins making weird noises, stop using it ASAP.
Battery safety 101 for electric vehicles (EVs)
- Before you buy an EV, have a qualified electrician install a new, dedicated circuit for your home charging device. Your existing home wiring might not be suitable.
- Follow your car manufacturer’s guidelines when charging your vehicle.
- Install a residual current device along with the charging unit. The device will turn off the power in an emergency.
- Keep up with your Evs’ routine maintenance.
- Avoid using a charger with signs of excessive wear and tear.
- Cover the EV charging station outlet when it’s not in use to keep water out.
🐴 With high fuel costs and the price of electric cars, legislators voted today to reintroduce the horse and buggy. The vote failed: 1 yea, 35 neighs.
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