Lithium-ion Battery Safety
To keep your family safe, Regina Fire & Protective Services and the National Fire Protection Association reminds residents to:
1. Buy only safety-certified products.
o When buying a rechargeable product, look for a safety certification mark from a nationally recognized testing lab on the packaging and product, which means it meets important safety standards. If it doesn’t have a testing lab stamp, don’t buy it as it could increase the risk of fire.
2. Charge devices safely.
o Always use the charger and cord that came with your device, or one approved by the manufacturer.
o Charge your device on a hard, flat surface. Don’t charge it under a pillow or on the bed or couch. This can trap heat and block airflow, which could cause a fire.
o Don’t overcharge. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.
o Stop using your device if it feels very hot, starts to swell, smells strange, leaks, smokes, or makes popping or hissing sounds. If it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire, then call 9-1-1.
o Charge large items outside when possible. This includes items like e-bikes, scooters and power tools, which typically run on larger batteries.
3. Safely dispose of batteries.
o Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in garbage or recycling bins because they could catch fire.
o The best way to dispose of lithium-ion batteries is at the Household Hazardous Materials Depot or a safe battery recycling location. Visit RecycleYourBatteries.ca to find a recycling location near you.
