Incident Overview
An Oklahoma fire department has released dramatic footage of a fire that erupted when a dog chewed through a lithium-ion battery, underscoring the importance of proper handling and storage of these popular power sources.
Key Points:
- The Tulsa Fire Department shared a video showing a dog causing a fire by chewing on a lithium-ion battery.
- The video, captured by an indoor home-monitoring system, shows the dog carrying a portable phone charger to its bed and chewing on it until it sparks and ignites.
- Fortunately, all pets involved, including two dogs and a cat, escaped uninjured through a dog door.
Safety Warning
Andy Little, Tulsa Fire Department public information officer, highlighted the increasing number of fires related to lithium-ion batteries and emphasized the need for public education on their safe usage, storage, and disposal.
“Fire departments all over the country are seeing fires related to these batteries. We want the public to learn about usage, safe storage, and proper disposal of these potentially dangerous batteries,” said Little.
Lithium-Ion Battery Risks
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in devices such as phones, laptops, and electric vehicles due to their lightweight and rechargeable nature. However, their high energy density can pose significant risks if not handled properly.
“When this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases, and even lead to explosions,” Little explained.
Common Causes of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
- Exposure to extreme heat
- Physical damage to the battery
- Overcharging
- Using incompatible charging equipment
Safety Tips for Lithium-Ion Batteries
The National Fire Protection Association offers the following advice for handling lithium-ion batteries safely:
- Only buy batteries listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and labeled accordingly.
- Use the charging equipment provided with the device.
- Stop charging the battery once it’s full.
- Avoid storing batteries in extreme temperatures or in places that block room exits.
- Do not dispose of lithium-ion batteries in household garbage or recycling bins.
- Stop using devices with damaged batteries, indicated by unusual odors, excessive heat, popping sounds, swelling, or color changes.
- Do not modify the battery or charger.
- Have all repairs performed by qualified professionals.
Conclusion
While the pets survived the fire near Tulsa, it caused significant damage to the house. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of understanding and properly using electronic devices and their batteries.