If you’ve watched the news or scrolled through social media lately, you’ve probably seen some high-profile lithium-ion battery fires. Maybe it’s an electric vehicle (EV) that catches fire after a crash or a rogue e-bike shop that goes up in flames. It’s understandable to be concerned when we hear about these major fire incidents. Most of us have electronic devices, and more and more people are buying e-bikes and EVs. But what is the real lithium battery fire risk?

“As the use of lithium-ion batteries increases, we hear more about incidents involving battery fires,” says Dr. Xiaoliang Wang, an expert in lithium-ion technology and a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno. Unfortunately, Wang says the coverage isn’t hype: “Lithium-ion batteries do carry a higher risk of fires than other batteries. This is because these battery cells inherently possess both fuels and oxidizers and store a lot of energy in a small amount of space.”

Great. Now what? Ahead, Wang and Jason Fladhammer, the director of quality assurance at Batteries Plus, explain lithium battery fire risks, and help you stay safe in your home.

Why Do Lithium Batteries Catch Fire?

“Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire due to a phenomenon called thermal runaway,” Wang says, where reactions between the components and fuels inside the battery “cause the battery temperature to rise uncontrollably.” Once thermal runaway starts, it sparks a chain reaction that’s very difficult to stop.

“Thermal runaway can be triggered by mechanical or electrical damage, overheating, overcharging or product defects,” Wang says. Mechanical damage could result from a wreck or water intrusion, such as from a flood, while an electrical issue like a short circuit “can lead to a fire or even explosion, releasing toxic gases and particles along with a large amount of heat.”

Can Lithium Batteries Catch On Fire When Not In Use?

Yes, but they’re unlikely to spontaneously combust just sitting in your garage. “If the batteries are used and stored according to the manufacturer, then lithium batteries are not more likely to catch on fire than other batteries,” Fladhammer says. Many of the problems we hear about with lithium battery fire risks are due to improper storage or use, like leaving a substandard charger and battery plugged in for days or weeks, or covering a charging battery with flammable material.

How To Prevent a Lithium Battery Fires In Electronics

Lithium-ion batteries are perfect for electronics and tools like drills and leaf blowers because they’re light and pack a lot of energy into a small space. But don’t let their size fool you: Lithium battery fire risks aren’t dependent on the size of the battery. They all have similar components.

Keep your home safe by taking the following precautions.

  • Protect the battery. Avoid sudden battery shock and damage from dropping, crushing and puncturing.
  • Keep batteries at room temperature. “Do not expose batteries to heat and direct sunlight,” Wang says. Don’t charge under your pillow or on the bed or couch, which can lead to overheating.
  • Use a proper charger. Use the charger that came with the equipment. If you need a new one, buy a charger recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Don’t drain or overcharge the battery. Don’t let the battery get to zero, or keep charging the battery past the 100% mark.
  • Don’t buy aftermarket batteries. “Use batteries recommended by equipment manufacturers and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory” such as UL, Wang says. “Make sure that the battery is from a reputable supplier and does not have a history of manufacturing defects, poor quality cells or counterfeit cells,” Fladhammer adds.

How To Prevent a Lithium Battery Fire in Electric Cars

Keeping EV batteries from igniting in your garage or driveway doesn’t just protect your expensive EV investment. It can save your house, too. Following the same rules for electronics will reduce lithium battery fire risk in your vehicles, but there are some EV specifics to keep in mind.

  • Monitor battery output and performance. Wang says to regularly check the outputs of the battery management system, if you have one. “High-quality lithium-ion batteries incorporate battery management systems with various safety features, such as thermal fuses, pressure vents and protective circuitry, to reduce the risk of fire or explosion.” Read your vehicle manual to verify settings or alerts to look for.
  • Watch the weather and your surroundings. “Charge the battery in a safe environment while avoiding extreme temperatures,” Fladhammer says. Avoid charging during thunderstorms, which could cause a power surge, and when temps are below freezing or above 100 degrees.
  • Pay attention to any physical battery changes, like “odor, color change, heat, swelling, leaking and popping sound[s],” Wang says. If you see or hear these changes, move away from the vehicle and call the fire department.
  • Use the charger that came with your vehicle (if you have a plug-in EV), or install a listed (certified) 240-volt system that’s approved for your vehicle. Never buy illegal or unlisted aftermarket car chargers.
  • Don’t overload the charging circuit. When you plug in your EV, keep the circuit free of other tools and high-amp equipment, and make sure your wiring is up to code. That’s especially important if you install a fast-charging (240-volt) system.
  • Get regular maintenance to keep your battery healthy. Take your car to a qualified EV mechanic or dealer for maintenance and battery management system software upgrades. Read your vehicle manual to learn the recommended schedule, and get recalls or upgrade notifications taken care of promptly.

How To Put Out a Lithium Battery Fire

If you’ve seen a lithium-ion battery fire, you might be a little worried about involving yourself in dousing one. “Firefighting involves the removal of one or more of the elements of fire: heat, oxygen, or fuel,” Wang says. “To fight lithium-ion batteries, one needs to not only put out the flame, but also cool the battery to prevent thermal runaway propagation and reignition. However, there are no clear guidelines on fighting lithium-ion battery fires at present.”

Well that doesn’t sound good. What should you do? In all cases, start by calling 911.

“The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends using water or water mist to extinguish lithium-ion battery fires and cool the battery,” Wang says. When small electronics catch fire on an airplane, Wang says Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advises flight staff to use a regular fire extinguisher, then use water or other non-flammable liquid to cool the battery, submerging it if possible.

Fladhammer says water works, but it might not be feasible: “Water can be used, but as seen in many online videos, you would need a large volume of water to extinguish a lithium fire.” The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says tens and even hundreds of thousands of gallons of water are needed to extinguish an EV fire, so if your car goes up in flames, get out, move far away and let professional firefighters put it out.

About the Experts

  • Dr. Xiaoliang Wang is the director of the Atmospheric Sciences Graduate Program at the University of Nevada, Reno and Desert Research Institute. As the principal investigator of projects to study lithium-ion battery fire emissions and suppression, Wang has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and holds three patents.
  • Jason Fladhammer is the director of quality assurance at Batteries Plus, a leading retailer of batteries across the United States, where he oversees product testing protocols and quality assurance teams and manages domestic and international vendors. Fladhammer has a degree in molecular cellular biology.

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Ally Childress
Ally Childress writes practical, informed stories and how-to guides for Family Handyman and Reader’s Digest. An experienced electrician, Ally's beat naturally includes electrical and construction topics. She also tackles cleaning, gardening, technology, bugs and anything else you can throw at her. She has a knack for finding just the right subjec...
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Ally Childress