Why phone and laptop batteries explode – and 6 ways to protect yourself

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• It is uncommon for a chargeable battery to trigger issues for the consumer.
• Some 1,500 fires and 5,000 overheating incidents are attributed to rechargeable batteries yearly.
• Do not use any gadget that is broken or displaying indicators of overheating.

Rechargeable batteries are all over the place.

Cease what you are doing and take into consideration all of the issues in your life proper now that comprise a chargeable battery — the laptops, smartphones, tablets, energy banks, good doorbells, and surveillance cameras. And do not forget to rely your wearables:   smartwatches, earbuds, and good rings all comprise rechargeable batteries.

Then there are the batteries that we put to our mouths and suck on — those inside e-cigarettes and vapes. 

Additionally: I examined a solid-state moveable battery for every week – now lithium-ion feels outdated

And do not forget that moveable energy station you will have within the storage. That factor is actually a field full of rechargeable batteries.

I am betting that you’ve got fairly a number of. 

Proper now, I’ve a few half a dozen inside arm’s attain, and much more that reside at my house, the workplace, or the automobile. And I’ve in all probability forgotten about that outdated smartphone at the back of a drawer, or the outdated — probably recalled — energy financial institution in my backpack.

For probably the most half, rechargeable battery-powered gadgets are extremely well-behaved. It is a good factor, actually, as a result of most of us are pleased to fall asleep with a charging smartphone not removed from our head every evening, and cram ourselves onto an plane and spend many hours at 40,000 ft surrounded by a whole bunch of various gadgets — all of various high quality and state of restore — containing a chargeable battery.

Additionally: The very best energy banks of 2026: Professional examined and reviewed

However issues can — and do — go flawed.

Simply how harmful are rechargeable batteries?

I’ve pulled up knowledge from a number of sources, and plainly rechargeable batteries are liable for roughly 1,500 home fires and a few 5,000 “overheating incidents” every year. E-cigarettes additionally trigger a whole bunch of accidents yearly, most of which, fortunately, aren’t extreme or life-changing. 

And yearly, a narrative makes the information a few smartphone or wearable battery misbehaving. Thankfully, most individuals stroll away from such incidents with limbs connected and eyes working. Nonetheless, that does not change the truth that it may have been a lot worse, and that we must be vigilant and know what to do if we come throughout a battery that is gone dangerous.

A contemporary rechargeable battery accommodates plenty of energy in a really small house. More often than not, batteries do what they’re presupposed to do — launch that vitality slowly and in a managed style. But when something ever causes the battery to launch that vitality all of a sudden, that is when there’s a threat of explosion and hearth.

As somebody who has witnessed a number of battery fires (some deliberate, others sudden), I’ve a wholesome respect for a way a lot vitality we feature round in our pockets.

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Make no mistake, a defective lithium-ion battery is extremely harmful, and it can explode. And once I say explode, I do not imply the tiny pop of a celebration popper (though some do go off in precisely that manner). An offended battery pack can go off with a heavy-duty bang, and it has sufficient vitality to shatter the gadget wrapped round it, making a bathe of shrapnel.

However a bang and the ensuing shrapnel is not all it’s worthwhile to fear about, as a result of chances are high that additionally, you will end up in the midst of a sprig of molten lithium metallic and a thick, acrid cloud of choking poisonous fumes.

And this enthusiastic chemical response might be not going to occur once you’re outdoor, surrounded by contemporary air, away from flamable supplies, and when you will have a fireplace extinguisher shut handy. Oh no, it may occur once you least anticipate it. Possibly when the gadget is all snugged up in your pocket, or when it is on cost within the automobile and also you’re zipping down the freeway at 65 mph.

Or when it is proper subsequent to your head in your nightstand — once you’re quick asleep. 

Why do batteries catch hearth?

Once more, fortunately, explosions and fires do not occur all that usually, however when issues do go flawed, it is usually right down to one of many following three causes:

1. Manufacturing defects

A nasty batch of batteries, an issue on the meeting line that triggered a element to be broken, or the usage of the flawed parts can all trigger gadgets to fail.

Apparently, whereas the media is fast guilty manufacturing issues for gadget fires and recollects, it is truly fairly uncommon because of the myriad of security checks that respected producers perform.

Additionally: I take a look at dozens of telephones yearly: How the iPhone stacks as much as Google and Samsung’s finest

2. Flawed design and counterfeit merchandise

You often solely see this with low-cost, poorly made gadgets. A few of these are made by producers who do not know what they’re doing, and others are made by companies which can be clearly chopping corners. Sadly, these items is flooding fashionable on-line shops, and it may be troublesome for the typical particular person to inform the distinction between a well-made product and a poorly made one as a result of many instances the gadgets characteristic pretend regulatory markings.

Most of the low-cost and counterfeit merchandise do not comprise security options that merchandise from respected makers have constructed into them.

3. Merchandise broken in use

Finish customers are the most typical purpose why merchandise turn out to be unsafe. Throwing gadgets about, getting them moist, charging them with the flawed charger, and leaving them to bake within the solar are all dangerous concepts.

Additionally: I modified these 7 settings on my Samsung telephone to increase the battery life by hours

High quality gadgets will embody security options to guard in opposition to overheating, overcharging, being discharged an excessive amount of, short-circuiting, and being recharged with the flawed charger. Though these options work to stop broken gadgets from turning into unsafe, nothing is foolproof.

What are you able to do to guard your loved ones from the risks?

I do not anticipate you to have entry to hundreds of {dollars} of take a look at gear; the reality is which you could spot most risks with out it. In truth, I often determine about 90% of unsafe merchandise with only a visible inspection.

By following a number of easy guidelines, you virtually get rid of all of the frequent causes of fireplace and explosion.

1. Purchase named-brand merchandise from respected retailers. Sure, you may be paying a number of {dollars} extra for a good-quality charger, cable, or energy financial institution, however that is your life and the lives of your loved ones members that we’re speaking about. Keep away from too-good-to-be-true offers, social media offers, and shady market sellers. For those who suspect you have bought an affordable, poor-quality gadget, cease utilizing it.
2. If a tool is broken in any manner or displaying any indicators of overheating, swelling, or deformation, cease utilizing it. This goes for chargers and cords (even frayed charging cords could be harmful). I like to recommend checking gadgets yearly and changing broken gadgets promptly.
3. Do not permit gadgets to get too scorching, particularly when charging. Do not cost a smartphone in your pocket or sports activities bag, and do not depart it on the sprint of your automobile baking within the solar.
4. Do not depart a charging gadget unattended. OK, most of us do this, so on the very minimal, I like to recommend you do not put charging gadgets on or close to flammable objects. A small lithium battery can shortly flip a wood desk or piece of bed room furnishings into an inferno.
5. For those who discover out {that a} gadget has been recalled, observe the recommendation given. Do not be a kind of individuals who assume they’ll outsmart security.
6. If in any doubt, search skilled recommendation.

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Don’t underestimate how shortly a lithium-polymer battery can catch hearth and the way harmful they are often. Beneath are a number of movies displaying simply how dangerous it could possibly get:

What must you do within the occasion of a hearth?

And if you’re unfortunate sufficient to face a burning electrical gadget:

• DO NOT THROW WATER ON THE FIRE! That can make issues a lot worse and might trigger additional fires. Use solely a appropriate hearth extinguisher or hearth blanket. 
• Evacuate the constructing.
• Attempt to keep away from respiration within the fumes.
• Name the fireplace division. Do not be silly or attempt to be a hero. 
• Search medical consideration for any accidents, regardless of how small.

I need to reiterate that digital gadgets are, on the entire, extraordinarily secure and never one thing it is best to lose sleep over. By shopping for a recognized model identify from a good outlet, and taking care to not abuse or injury that gadget, you are not possible to have any issues in any respect.