HB Fire Dept’s Tips to Avoid Electrical Fires

HBFD has seen an increase in electrical fires related to e-bikes, here are some things you should look out for.

The Huntington Beach fire Department has noticed an increase in fires involving rechargeable batteries, so we wanted to go over some safety tips to decrease the probability of a battery fire starting at your home:

Don’t overdo it. One of the most important things you can do to extend battery life is to avoid overcharging.  Be sure to disconnect chargers after the battery is fully charged. Overcharging can cause the pressure to rise quickly in the battery and lead to a fire.

Be present.  Be nearby when charging your batteries. A battery fire can happen if a device with a defective battery is left unattended and overheats. Make sure you charge in area with a working smoke detector.  That way you will be notified if the battery starts to smolder.

Stay away from flammables.  Do not charge devices on flammable material such as pillows, blankets, sheets, paper, clothing and fabric.  It is also important to keep charging batteries away from high value items such as cars, tools or equipment.

Look for a problem.  Before charging, take a look at your batteries and equipment for any signs of visible damage such as cracks, bulging or puffing out. If you notice puffing, smoking or fire while charging your battery, you should attempt, only if it is safe, to unplug the charger from its power source.

Pick the right charger. You should always charge rechargeable batteries in the device recommended by the manufacturer. Chargers are designed for specific battery types; mixing chargers and batteries could result in unexpected problems. Check the manufacturer’s web site for instructions if you plan to charge your device or batteries using a new method.

A reminder, electrical fires continue to be one of the primary causes of fire.  Creating good habits and making use of these tips can prevent a battery fire from starting.

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