A mobile phone battery stores enormous amounts of energy in a very small space. As long as everything is working properly, we don’t notice anything. But a technical defect or incorrect handling can trigger a chain reaction — known as thermal runaway. This causes the battery to fuel itself with energy until it bursts into flames or ruptures under intense pressure. What makes this particularly dangerous is that battery fires often start silently and produce extremely toxic fumes that can attack the lungs and nervous system. This can even happen with a cordless vacuum cleaner.
It is often our convenience that becomes a danger. A smartphone, for example, that is charging under your pillow or on a fluffy carpet at night cannot dissipate the heat it generates. This can lead to heat build-up, causing the chemical processes inside the battery to spiral out of control. You should watch out for these typical charging mistakes:
Tip: Use a hard, non-flammable surface such as a glass plate, tiles or a wooden board without a tablecloth as a charging area. Also, make sure that the device is at least 20 inches away from your pillow — this will give you valuable seconds to get to safety from smoke and flames in an emergency.
What is dangerous for smartphones is life-threatening for e-bikes. An average e-bike battery has the energy of hundreds of mobile phone batteries. If it catches fire, a bucket of water will not help — metal and chemicals burn with high intensity here.
Tip: E-bike owners should consider purchasing a special battery safety box or a special fireproof bag (LiPo bag) for charging. In an emergency, this will keep the flames at bay long enough to call the fire brigade.
When there is smoke or sparks, every second counts. But be careful: A burning lithium-ion battery reacts differently to a normal fire. You need to act calmly so as not to put yourself in danger.
Tip: Special fire blankets are available at low cost, for example from Amazon. There are also fire extinguishers specifically designed for lithium batteries or other energy storage devices.
Safety and battery health go hand in hand. A well-maintained battery is less likely to pose a risk:
Tip: You can find high-quality and particularly fire-safe LiFePO4 solutions here, for example:
A modern battery is a technical marvel, but it is also a highly active chemical reactor in a very small space. The good news is that you don’t have to be a fire safety expert to get through everyday life safely.
Often, a critical look at the charging location and avoiding dubious cheap accessories is enough to virtually eliminate the risk of thermal runaway. Make it a habit to treat your smartphone like a technical device and not like a cuddly toy — then you’ll protect your home and also extend the life of your faithful companion.
Author: Steffen Zellfelder
Source: PCWorld
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
