The Brief
- About 30% of fires investigated by St. Pete fire this year were battery related.
- Departments nationwide used Fire Prevention Week to push safer charging of devices and electronics.
- Simple steps can reduce the risk of a battery fire.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Calls tied to lithium-ion batteries are keeping fire crews busy in St. Pete, and firefighters across the country are using this week to educate and help prevent more of these dangerous blazes. They say they’re responding to these incidents at an alarming rate.
“Of the fires we have investigated this year, 28% have been battery-related. It’s a real issue, and we are seeing an increase,” said St. Pete Fire Rescue Division Chief Ian Womack.
Nationwide, there were more than 2,500 battery incidents in 2024.
Lithium-ion batteries are in phones, tablets, AirTags, e-bikes, scooters, golf carts and countless other everyday devices.
Cutting Lithium-ion battery fire risks
Firefighters shared practical ways to make charging safer, including:
- Look for a safety certification on the device.
- Only use the charging equipment that comes with the device — or from the manufacturer.
- Don’t leave devices charging unattended.
- Keep e-bikes and e-scooters outside your living space when charging or storing – not inside your home.
What they’re saying:
Chief Womack underscored why the right charger matters.
“Often times when charges go bad, people replace them on Amazon. You have to remember, the charger has to be properly calibrated to the battery in your device, or it will overcharge it.”…