SAFE HANDLING OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

THE FIRE SERVICE ACROSS THE NATION HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN FIRE INCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH BATTERY BASED ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND CHARGING SYSTEMS.

WITH THE INCREASED USE IN BATTERY-POWERED VEHICLES, SCOOTERS, BIKES AND MORE, THE PRESCOTT FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF THESE FIRES.

THESE TIPS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE WHEN HANDLING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES:

1) USE APPROPRIATE BATTERIES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MAKER. LOOK FOR REPUTABLE TESTING AGENCY MARKS SUCH AS U.L. 

2) ALWAYS PLUG CHARGERS INTO A WALL OUTLET AND AVOID MULTI-PLUGS, EXTENSION CORDS AND POWER STRIPS.

3) ALWAYS STORE BATTERIES AND POWERPACKS IN OPEN SPACES. AVOID STORAGE IN PLACES SUCH AS UNDER BEDS OR COUCHES AND NEVER NEAR ANYTHING FLAMMABLE.

4) KEEP BATTERY PACKS AND DEVICES AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND AWAY FROM ANY HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS HEATERS OR DIRECT SUNLIGHT. 

5) USE ONLY THE SUPPLIED CHARGER FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON CHARGING THE DEVICE.

6) ENSURE THAT THE CHARGING CORD AND ADAPTER MATCH THE BATTERY REQUIREMENTS.

7) NEVER LEAVE A DEVICE OR BATTERY CHARGING UNATTENDED. 

8) DISPOSE OF BATTERIES SAFELY. DO NOT PLACE LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES IN TRASH OR RECYCLING BINS. CONTACT LOCAL BATTERY RETAILERS WHO COLLECT AND RECYCLE BATTERIES.