Lynbrook Fire Chief Chris Kelly is warning residents that Lithium-Ion batteries used in Smart Phones, laptops, cameras, scooters, ebikes, toys, electric cars, to name a few, and come in different sizes and shapes, could cause a fire or explode if not handled or used properly.  Lithium-Ion batteries are compact, lightweight batteries that hold considerable charge and fare well under constant discharge-recharge conditions. 

But these batteries can be dangerous.  Although accidents are rare, those that do occur may be spectacular resulting in an explosion or fire.

Just recently, New York City firefighters fought three house fires in one day that were caused by Lithium batteries that caught fire or exploded.  And, on May 1^st, another fire possibly caused by these batteries is being investigated.  People have died in fires in NYC caused by these batteries catching fire.

And here in our own village, Lynbrook firefighters fought a basement fire last month that the Nassau County Fire Marshal investigated and ruled was started by a Lithium drill battery that caught fire spreading the fire to a wall of the basement. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association Lithium-Ion batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space.  And, sometimes these batteries are not used in the right way or designed for a specific use can be dangerous, or like any product, a small number are defective.  They can overheat, catch fire and explode.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 25,000 overheating or fire incidents have been reported over a five-year period and involving more than 400 types of lithium battery powered products.

Chief Kelly said consumers should only purchase and use batteries that are listed by a certified testing laboratory and contain a UL label.  He strongly warned against using cheap or knock-off copies and only use ones that are designed for a specific device or toy.

Also, never charge these batteries under a pillow, or on a bed, or on a couch, or any other location that could cause a fire.

A battery owner should stop using a battery if one smells an odor, the battery gets extremely hot, changes in shape, or is leaking or even making noise while charging.  Even when a battery is no longer being charged a damaged battery could still cause a fire or explode.

Fire caused by these batteries can also be harmful to the firefighters that must put out the fires. 

Based on a recent meeting between the FDNY and industry experts, the Nassau County Fire Marshal states the “Lithium-Ion batteries are an emerging hazard to the fire service.” 

The Fire Marshal’s Office, in a bulletin, has directed Nassau’s fire service on a number of ways to help protect firefighters while they fight these fires. 

Besides the batteries starting a fire they also release toxic and explosive gases.  A Lithium battery fire releases an either-based vapor that’s highly flammable.  It is a skin, eye, and nasal irritant and carcinogenic, and can be potentially fatal.   And, a battery fire could reach temperatures above 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.  The fire and these toxic gases will rapidly expand to fill the area where the batteries are stored.

According to Chief Kelly, firefighters are being warned while operating at a fire where Lithium batteries are damaged by fire or heat that firefighters remain wearing their breathing air facepieces due to the toxic fumes.  And, all batteries should be located in the fire area before overhaul of the fire scene begins. Any batteries found should be placed in a container with water and immediately removed from the home or building. 

Residents are asked not to throw their discarded batteries into the trash but should be carefully disposed of.  The Town of Hempstead will accept discarded rechargeable batteries and other hazardous materials as part of their STOP (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) program.  

Their next STOP pick up will be on June 12^th at Bay Park in East Rockaway.  The program is held in a different community in the town each month.

Lynbrook residents can also drop off household batteries to the Lynbrook Department of Public Works office on Merrick Road at Taft Avenue.  They have a receptacle inside the main office.  Car batteries are not accepted.

“Let’s keep our residents, and our firefighters safe, by being careful with the purchase, use, and disposal of Lithium-Ion batteries,” said Chief Kelly.

www.lynbrookfd.org