Fire and Rescue crews are warning the community of dangers involved with lithium-ion battery products. Photos: FRNSW.
The Illawarra community is being urged to be vigilant while using and disposing of lithium-ion batteries, after a spate of dangerous fires across the state.
Fire and Rescue crews have already responded to 25 lithium-ion battery fires in NSW this year, with 14 of those since 2 February.
The incidents have resulted in injury from shrapnel, burns and smoke inhalation as well as serious damage to property, and have prompted a warning from authorities about incorrect charging of devices.
“People are aware of the risks but are still willing to overcharge their lithium-ion batteries, leave them on charge when they sleep or mix and match power cords,” FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said. “It’s a recipe for disaster and they need to stop now.
“Don’t charge lithium-ion-powered devices near exit points. In at least three of the recent fires, residents were trapped by the flames and were forced to flee through windows.”
Authorities have also been faced with homemade, makeshift or modified chargers which have resulted in explosions, toxic gas emissions and caused intense fires.
“Never mix and match your batteries and chargers. Always use the charger purchased with the device,” FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.
“I cannot say this strongly enough – do not modify your chargers or batteries; do not make your own batteries.”
NSW Government research revealed that there was limited knowledge about how to safely use lithium-ion battery products, with around 32 per cent of respondents not knowing how to implement safety measures.
While 44 per cent of people understood the risks associated with the use of lithium-ion battery products, people were still willing to engage in risky behaviours when charging their devices.
Crews have been faced with makeshift and modified devices which have exploded.
This included 73 per cent charging devices while unattended, 70 per cent charging batteries near living spaces or exits, 64 per cent leaving devices plugged in after charging and 51 per cent using low-quality chargers or batteries.
“We had at least 318 lithium-ion battery fires in NSW last year; that’s well up on the 272 of 2023 and 165 of 2022. We know they are on the rise, but people are still taking dangerous risks in their homes,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
New product safety standards were introduced by NSW Fair Trading this month to stop poor quality lithium-ion powered e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards entering the market.
A new information standard is expected to be introduced late February which will cover product safety information, fire safety and emergency procedures, product end of life and storage, as well as electrical safety and advice on road rules.
Further mandatory testing and certification will come into effect this August as well as mandatory labelling requirements to be introduced in February 2026.
“We know poorly designed and built lithium-ion batteries present a real and potentially life-threatening risk to consumers, contributing to more than one fire per week across NSW,” Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said.
“But regulations can’t stop poor consumer behaviour and the high number of fires Fire and Rescue NSW responded to last week should be a wakeup call to people with these products.
“If you own a lithium-ion battery product, stop risking your life and your family’s lives; make sure you follow the advice on how to charge and use these devices safely.”
Disposal of lithium-ion batteries, which are also used in products such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets and household appliances, continues to be an issue, with incorrect disposal believed to be the cause of a garbage truck fire in Kiama last month.
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Executive Director Alexandra Geddes said that a survey revealed 25 per cent of people were still putting batteries in rubbish bins.
“Every year, we see fires breaking out in garbage trucks and recycling facilities because people are throwing batteries in household bins. This is not just dangerous – it’s avoidable,” she said.
“There are free recycling options available across NSW, including at supermarkets and community recycling centres. It’s a simple step that can reduce fires and protect lives.”
For more information on how to safely use, charge and dispose of lithium-ion batteries visit the NSW Fair Trading website.
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