Fire department officials are now warning about the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries ahead of Christmas so people can take precautions when giving and receiving gifts that may use the batteries for power. A series of fires across the region, including one in Ottawa last week, where a defective phone charger caught fire and then caught the other battery packs attached to it, have sparked the warnings. Fire Safety Expert John Alcorn:
Most people assume their phones or electric lawn equipment or other types of lithium-ion batteries are safe, even while on the charger, but if one is damaged and catches fire, it can act like a domino effect and ignite the others. Officials say overheating and over charging can cause the fires.
Fire officials are urging homeowners this holiday season to unplug after an item is fully charged and store the batteries properly when not in use.
