Fire officials warn of lithium-ion battery hazards this holiday season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Lithium-ion batteries can be commonly found in children's toys and holiday gifts but caused around 25,000 fires nationally between 2018 and 2022, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In a Facebook post, the Boone County Fire Protection District reminds people of the correct ways to store and charge devices with lithium-ion batteries to avoid a fire hazard.

According to the International Energy Agency, the demand for lithium batteries doubled between 2020 and 2022 with the batteries helping power electronics like handheld devices and remote control vehicles. The batteries also power electronic vehicles like children's cars, hoverboards, e-bikes and scooters.

The National Fire Protection Agency adds that lithium-ion batteries are especially flammable since the batteries house a lot of energy in a small space. If released, the energy can generate a lot of heat and turn parts of the battery into flammable gas.

When purchasing electronics, it's recommended to avoid counterfeit or knock-off items, and only buy products from qualified brands.

BCFPD also advises lithium-battery users to always follow the manufacturer's instructions, only use designated cords when charging devices and remove devices from their chargers once the battery is full.

It is also advised to keep devices in a room-temperature environment and to keep batteries away from sunlight, pets and children.

The NFPA also says to avoid using torn or broken chargers and to avoid charging batteries that have signs of damage like swelling or excessive heat.

Old lithium-ion batteries can be disposed of at Call 2 Recycle drop-off stations that are typically found at Lowes, Home Depot, and Staples.