With a rise in popularity of electric bikes and scooters, we’re getting in touch with some information and advice around how best to store and charge the batteries they use.
Following another house fire in Greater Manchester in the last few days which appears to be linked to an e-scooter and the lithium-ion batteries they use, we wanted to highlight some top tips for how you can keep your family and home safe.
Advice for storing and charging:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and always use one of their approved chargers.
- Unplug your charger when the battery is full – be careful not to overcharge.
- Stay with the battery when it’s charging – don’t leave them on when you’re asleep or away from home.
- Keep battery packs clear when charging – covering them could cause overheating and lead to a fire.
- Charge it in a safe place away from anything combustible or flammable.
- Charge it in a room where you could close the door on it in the event of a fire and never charge within a communal area where it could block fire exits or escape routes.
- Regularly check your battery for any signs of damage and replace if you find any. Damaged batteries can overheat more easily and could cause a fire.
- If you need to dispose of an old battery, check if the manufacturer offers a recycling service. If not, take it to your local recycling plant – don’t put in with the household rubbish as it could cause a fire in the bin lorry or within the household waste centre.
- Store e-bikes and scooters and batteries in a cool place – avoid anywhere too hot or too cold and ideally 6 metres away from your home, fencing and sheds.
In the event of an electric bike/scooter or lithium-ion battery fire – do not attempt to extinguish the fire. Get out, stay out, call 999.
Advice if you’re considering buying an electric scooter or bike
- Be sure to buy bikes, scooters, electric bike conversion kits, chargers, and batteries from reputable retailers. Items which don’t meet British or European standards pose a fire risk.
- If buying separate components, check that they are compatible.
- Register your appliance with the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) for a safer home. For more information click here.
Report any issues with your smoke or carbon monoxide detectors
It’s important to check and regularly test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re in good working order and able to protect you and your family as they should.
We will inspect them each year, but if you have any queries or concerns about the condition or maintenance of your alarm, or if you are concerned an alarm is missing, please contact us as soon as you notice.
To watch our series of fire safety video clips, produced in partnership with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, click here.