Back to School – Lithium Battery Safety
As summer comes to a close and students head back to school, it’s important to be aware of lithium battery safety. Lithium batteries power many of the electronic devices and equipment that students rely on. From laptops and tablets to calculators and voice recorders, devices with lithium batteries have become a staple in classrooms for all ages. While these batteries are generally safe, there may be fire and explosion risks if used or stored improperly.
Read a popular article about lithium battery fires here.
Care must be taken not only when using these lithium battery-powered devices, but also when storing and packing them for transport to class. By exposing the devices to extreme temperatures, physical stress and humidity, students can avoid the risks associated with lithium batteries.
Lithium Battery Safety Tips for Students
By prioritizing lithium battery safety, students can help prevent dangerous incidents and ensure a smooth and productive return to the classroom. Here are some safety tips:
- Use only the battery intended for the device.
- Insert the batteries correctly into the device.
- Only use the charging cable supplied with the device.
- Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
- Charge devices on a flat, stable surface and never leave them unattended while charging.
- Do not continue to charge the device or its battery after it is fully charged.
- Store batteries at room temperature if possible. Do not charge them at temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) or above 40 °C (105 °F).
- Store batteries away from objects that can catch fire.
- If a battery appears to swell, leak, or behaves unusually, stop using it immediately.
- Never throw batteries into household waste or recycling bins.
Remember that as with any product, some of these batteries can be defective. They can overheat, catch fire, or explode. So it’s important not only to follow these safety tips, but also to know the signs of a defective battery. When a battery is about to catch fire, it will usually feel extremely hot or swell (the device may look like it has a bump or bulge). If you notice these signs, do not touch the device with bare hands and seek qualified personnel to try to extinguish the fire. At the ICC Compliance Center, we offer a product called Extover, which is designed to extinguish lithium battery fires.
Do you have questions about lithium batteries? Check out our lithium battery FAQs, or contact our team of experts at 855.734.5469 or send us an email and we’ll be happy to help.
We provide all the products, services and training you need to ensure your staff are properly trained and informed.
Resources:
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/codes/dangers-of-lithium-ion-batteries.pdf
https://www.nfpa.org/downloadable-resources/safety-tip-sheets/lithium-ion-battery-safety-for-consumers-tip-sheet
