Shriners Children’s Boston Warns of Hidden Dangers Lurking Inside Lithium-Ion Batteries

“Safe Charging is a Superpower" Headlines Fire Prevention Week from October 4-10

E-bikes and e-scooters continue to grow in popularity around the country, but a hidden danger lurks inside these devices and other electronics if not handled correctly. October 4 through 10 is Fire Prevention Week, and Shriners Children's Boston is spreading the word about lithium-ion battery safety and how to avoid severe burns.

As e-bikes and scooters become more common, children may not realize they are powered by volatile lithium-ion batteries. Shriners Children’s Boston Burn Program Coordinator Rich Grady, BSN, RN, said the batteries in these devices can overheat to dangerous temperatures when charging, leading to contact burns or, in extreme cases, the batteries can explode and catch fire, leading to worse injuries.

“It’s important to charge e-bikes and scooters outside and away from exits,” Grady said. “When the bike is fully charged, immediately remove it from the charger. There’s a thing called thermal runaway when a battery gets to full charge and overheats if it’s kept on the charger. Don’t charge e-bikes or scooters overnight and always be home when charging them in case a fire happens. If you hear a pop or something starts to smell weird while riding, get off the bike immediately and call the fire department.”

E-bikes and scooters aren’t the only culprits when it comes to lithium-ion battery injuries. Charging a phone or tablet has become a routine habit for billions of people across the world every single day. However, improper care and handling of these devices can lead to burns. Just like bikes and scooters, batteries in other electronic devices can overheat.

“It’s important to not use secondary market chargers for your electronic gadgets,” Grady said. “Use the charger that comes directly from the manufacturer, and if it breaks, buy a proper replacement, as uncertified chargers don’t have the same safety precautions. We also recommend charging all devices on a flat, solid surface and really try to avoid sleeping with your phone charging next to you on the bed. Take that extra step and place it on the nightstand. Don’t leave devices with these batteries in a hot car either, as this can cause them to explode.”

Grady emphasized that sometimes battery injuries happen in ways people would never expect. He treated a patient who went to sleep while charging their phone on the bed, and that patient was wearing a metal necklace. Their necklace came in contact with the charging phone and conducted heat, leading the necklace to burn the patient's neck.

If a child does sustain a lithium-ion battery burn, Grady said to run the injury under cool water and then dress it in a comfortable, sterile bandage (or, if a bandage is unavailable, a clean sheet or towel) before heading to the emergency department or certified burn center.