This year’s John Lewis Christmas advert has just flashed across our screens and so it seems the time of good cheer is now officially upon us. But before we throw ourselves headlong into the season of goodwill, I want to make sure it’s also one of good sense, particularly when it comes to lithium-ion batteries and fire safety.
Increasing number of fires
Earlier this year, insurer QBE carried out some research with fire services across the UK and specifically asked them about the number of fires they’d dealt with that were linked to lithium-ion batteries.
In 2022, there were a total of 690 such fires. Electric bikes were involved in 181 of them and electric scooters were the cause of 118 others. Fast forward a couple of years and the rise in numbers has been staggering.
In 2024, the total number of lithium-ion battery fires jumped to 1,330 (93% increase) of which 362 (100% increase) involved electric bikes and 156 (32% increase) involved electric scooters.
It’s worth noting that QBE received responses from 42 out of the 50 fire services contacted and so it’s likely the actual number of fires was even higher, given there was no data forthcoming from eight fire services.
Electric bikes and scooters will be on many people’s Christmas lists, but let’s not forget that lithium-ion batteries also power everything from smartphones and power tools to laptops and tablets. These assorted items will also be jostling for position under the Christmas tree.
There can hardly be a property in the UK, residential or commercial, that’s not packed full of lithium-ion batteries tucked inside all sorts of gadgets and appliances. And their prevalence is only set to increase as we become more reliant on these devices and the batteries that power them.
From a fire-safety point of view, the worry is that lithium-ion battery fires burn hotter and faster than ordinary combustion fires and tend to be more unpredictable. They’re more difficult to extinguish and these factors combine to increase the risk they pose to people and to property.
Indeed, they can take up to ten times as much water to extinguish. The additional water damage, let alone the havoc wreaked by the fire, tends to make remedial operations much longer and even more costly.
Using lithium-ion batteries safely
As in so many aspects of life, prevention is better than cure. Lithium-ion batteries are here to stay and so it’s up to each and every one of us to make sure we manage and monitor them properly to ensure we keep a close eye on the increased fire risk they represent.
Lithium-ion batteries can spontaneously combust for a number of reasons including overcharging, exposure to moisture and short circuiting. If they’re bashed and damaged, this makes such fires more likely.
This means it’s important to be mindful that these batteries aren’t quite as robust as we might like to think and that simply throwing old lithium-ion battery devices into the back of a drawer isn’t a safe way of disposing of them at the end of their life.
In short, don’t use or charge devices if the battery is:
- Producing smoke
- Hot to touch
- Looks swollen/lumpy
- Leaking/hissing
- Smelling unusual
- Taking longer to charge or doesn’t fully charge
In addition, make sure that any devices bought come from reputable retailers and that any items that include lithium-ion batters meet British or European safety standards. In today’s online world, we’re sometimes in such a rush to buy something that we overlook where it’s come from.
Once bought, registering your product with the manufacturer will mean you receive any subsequent information about possible product defects, allowing you to respond and avoid a potential problem.
Solar panel concerns
On a related, but separate topic, this year’s SCVO Village Halls conference also featured a lot of discussion about solar PV panels and the batteries used to store the energy generated so it can be used at a later date.
These batteries are often located in attics, cupboards or floor cavities to keep them out of the way. But this makes them difficult to access in an emergency and often means they’re overlooked when it comes to keeping them regularly cleaned and maintained.
Indeed, QBE did a follow up piece of research looking at solar panels more generally. It found that in 2022, there were 107 fires involving solar panels. In 2024, that number had risen by 60% to 171.
Commissioning reputable installers and implementing a regular and comprehensive maintenance schedule is an absolute priority when it comes to solar panel fire safety.
Last word
Fire safety is a worrying issue because the potential for human injury is frightening and the scale of potential damage is devastating.
I don’t want to be alarmist, but I do want to get people thinking about a safety-first perspective when it comes to fire and to be aware of how changes in the way we live, such as the increasing reliance on lithium-ion batteries, are changing the risks we all face in our private, commercial and third sector premises.
But being safe doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves, and I hope that’s exactly what we all do as we round off the year. As ever, if you have any questions regarding insurance don’t hesitate to get in touch with our highly experienced team of advisors here at Keegan & Pennykid.
