From mobiles to mobility scooters, do you know how to safely plug in your lithium-ion battery at home for charging? They are a leading cause of fires according to NSW Fire and Rescue. Some advice I’ve been hearing is so vague but the details spelt out by NSW Fire and Rescue puts great context around this emerging fire potential.

10 tips when charging at home

I have consolidated these from the NSW Fire and Rescue article at the end of this post. Looking at this list there were only 2 that I’d been doing right and that’s purely by accident. That’s scary odds. How did you fare?

1. Never charge and use at the same time when you are in bed
2. Never charge when you are not at home
3. Never charge near an exit
4. Never charge when you are sleeping in the same room
5. Never charge on soft surfaces like sofas, beds or carpet. Charge on hard surfaces like tiles or concrete
6. Unplug the battery once it is charged so it can’t overheat
7. Only use approved chargers for that specific battery
8. Install heat/smoke alarms where you are charging lithium batteries
9. Charge large batteries (e-scooters and power tools) in garages or sheds away from living areas
10. Don’t use or charge a lithium battery if it is dented, crushed , or leaking

What defines a lithium-ion battery

• (mobility scooters), motor vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters
• laptops, mobile phones, handheld game consoles, digital cameras, torches and toys
• medical instruments such as hearing aids, ECG monitors and dosage dispensers
• construction and maintenance
• industrial equipment such as forklifts and battery powered hand tools
• bulk energy storage facilities. – Safework Australia

Stay safe guys.

Dezzie 2025

New South Wales

https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9426#:~:text=Charge%20responsibly%3A%20Avoid%20charging%20batteries,the%20event%20of%20a%20fire.

Queensland

https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/safety-education/battery-and-charging-safety/lithium-ion-battery-safety