What's the deal with Lithium?

An exploding lithium-ion battery seems to hit the news quite regularly. Perhaps information surrounding the seriousness or dangers of these are not as exciting as capturing the explosion in the moment to share on Tik Tok or Instagram.

Let’s take a closer look: at what to watch for and how to properly use, charge, care for & dispose of lithium-ion batteries.

E-Bikes

Making the News: E-bike batteries are known to explode or catch fire.

Doing it Right: Choose only the batteries & chargers that came with your e-bike. Stay away from cheaper knock-off brands of bikes & batteries; they are more likely to be volatile.

Stow correctly: Never charge a damaged battery, or one that’s still hot from use. Unplug your battery once charged, and store away from flammable material like furniture or carpets.

Vapes

Making the News: Spare vape batteries in a pocket with keys or coins have been reported to explode without warning. Crushed or damaged vape batteries catch fire and put waste management works in danger when vapes are disposed incorrectly.

Doing it Right: In addition to avoiding vaping altogether, it’s recommended to recycle vapes and household batteries responsibly. Single use vapes have been banned in some countries partly due to the increase in waste and the resulting fire hazards.

Where to go:  Visit www.recycleyourbatteries.ca for locations near you to dispose of rechargeable and single use batteries.

Electronics

Making the News: Charging a baby monitor, power tool, cell phone, power bank on a soft or flammable surface has led to overheating, fires, and explosions.

Doing it Right: Never tamper with, modify or throw a lithium battery. Always check for signs of swelling, dents, damage, or wear. If you need to transport a battery, use a protective non-metal case. Unplug your charger when the device is fully charged, and never charge an item where it might block an exit if it ignited.

Always: Use the charger that came with your device, and contact the original product manufacturer to order a replacement charger for larger, higher voltage items.