With hot weather forecast to continue next week, millions of people are being urged to check several items in their homes for warning signs of fires. Lithium-ion batteries are in many daily appliances, and in hot weather, they can transform from being safe to being a massive fire risk.
According to FOI requests, UK firefighters respond to a lithium ion battery fire every five hours on average. These batteries are in smartphones, power banks, laptops, vapes, mobility scooters and e-bikes and they can explode with very little warning, causing massive amounts of damage.
How Heat Affects Batteries
Experts from mobility solution specialists Muick Sandy say prolonged exposure to high temperatures can reduce battery performance, shorten battery lifespan, and, in some cases, cause batteries to overheat or fail without warning. Ben Kenny, director of Muick Sandy, said there are five critical warning signs that your device is at risk of fire.
Five Signs Your Rechargeable Battery Could Be Overheating
- Temperature - rechargeable batteries become warm during use and charging, but they should never be excessively hot. If you notice excessive heat, then stop using it immediately and wait for it to cool.
- Smell - a chemical, sweet or burning smell could indicate internal damage. If you notice a smell, stop using the device immediately and seek professional advice.
- Power - if your device suddenly starts to lose power faster than usual or cut out without warning, it could be affected by excessive heat.
- Swelling - Any bulging, cracking or visible damage to a battery casing could indicate a serious fault. Never continue using or charging a battery that appears swollen or damaged.
- Charging - If a battery struggles to charge, won’t reach full capacity or takes significantly longer than normal, hot weather may have accelerated an underlying issue that should be investigated.
Expert Advice on Prevention
Ben added: “Most batteries cope perfectly well with normal summer weather, but prolonged exposure to extreme heat can affect their performance. Knowing what warning signs to look out for can help users avoid unnecessary breakdowns and expensive replacements. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t ignore it. Getting a battery checked early is far safer than risking a breakdown.”
To protect against heat damage, never leave any battery powered device in direct sunlight and allow batteries to cool before charging. Batteries should never be recharged on beds, sofas or any other surface where heat can build.
