02/07/2026
It's the start of a new month, month 7 argh... where is the year going?! 🤯
One topic that's certainly been on our minds recently is lithium-ion batteries. There have been lots of updates surrounding these, and for good reason. Lithium-ion batteries are powering more of our lives than ever before... but they are also becoming an increasing fire risk.
Across the UK, the fire and rescue services attended more than 1,300 lithium-ion battery fires during 2024—an average of over three fires every day. The number of incidents has almost doubled in just two years, highlighting the growing importance of using, storing and disposing of these batteries safely.
Whether it's an e-bike, e-scooter, laptop, mobile phone, power tool or v**e, taking a few simple precautions can make all the difference.
✅ Never dispose of lithium-ion batteries or electrical items containing them in your general waste or mixed recycling.
✅ Avoid storing e-bikes and e-scooters in escape routes, hallways or near final exits where a fire could prevent people from escaping safely.
✅ Never leave batteries charging unattended for prolonged periods where possible, and always use the charger supplied or recommended by the manufacturer.
✅ Ensure your smoke detection arrangements provide suitable coverage for areas where lithium-ion batteries are stored or routinely charged. This is important in both homes and workplaces, providing the earliest possible warning should a battery fail.
✅ Where larger numbers of batteries are stored, or higher-risk batteries are present, consider whether a fire-resisting and ventilated storage cabinet is appropriate for your site.
✅ If a battery becomes damaged, swollen, unusually hot or has suffered an impact, stop using it immediately and arrange for it to be disposed of safely.
♻️ In Suffolk, unwanted batteries and electrical items should be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or another designated battery recycling point. Many supermarkets also provide collection bins for household batteries.
As lithium-ion batteries become part of everyday life, understanding how to use, store and dispose of them safely is becoming an important part of both home and workplace fire safety.
