In the state of Oklahoma, USA, a pet dog chewed on its owner’s lithium-ion battery-powered cellphone, also known as a power bank or portable charger, sparking a fire that severely damaged the house. Fortunately, no humans or animals were harmed in the incident. The local fire department used this incident to create a promotional video, urging the public to pay attention to the safe use of lithium-ion batteries.
The Tulsa Fire Department shared a fire safety awareness video on social media on August 1st. The video included footage captured in May by a surveillance camera in a residential building, showing a fire caused by a dog chewing on a lithium-ion battery.
In the video, two dogs and a cat can be seen in the living room of the house. One of the dogs suddenly bit into the lithium-ion battery, causing it to spark and explode, igniting a fierce blaze.
Luckily, the two dogs and the cat were able to escape through a doggy door, and the family was not asleep at the time, allowing them to safely evacuate. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the fire.
Andy Little, the public information officer for the Tulsa Fire Department, stated in the video that if the house did not have an escape route or if the family had been asleep at the time, the outcome could have been much worse.
Lithium-ion batteries are known for storing a large amount of energy in a confined space. However, when this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, be flammable, produce toxic gases, and even cause explosions.
Fire departments nationwide have reported fires related to these batteries. It is crucial for the public to understand how to safely use, store, and dispose of these potentially dangerous batteries.
Little reminded people that following the manufacturer’s guidelines when using lithium-ion batteries, using approved chargers, and storing them safely are essential steps to prevent such incidents.
In addition to cellphones, personal mobility devices (PMDs) also utilize lithium-ion batteries, posing a fire risk. To mitigate this risk, San Francisco recently implemented new fire regulations.
As reported previously by Dajiyuan, with more and more people in San Francisco using electric bicycles, scooters, and skateboards, the city has seen a rise in lithium-ion battery-related fires.
City councilor Aaron Peskin stated that last year alone, San Francisco experienced over sixty lithium-ion battery fires and even had a fatality.
In response, the city introduced new fire regulations allowing only four lithium-ion battery-powered PMDs per household. During charging, they must be plugged directly into wall outlets, and the use of extension cords and power strips is prohibited. PMDs must be at least 3 feet apart from each other while charging.
PMD owners must adhere to the manufacturer’s charging guidelines and use the chargers and batteries provided by the manufacturer.