Finland reports 60 incidents of battery fires annually, warns about key safety signs

Every year, Finland experiences approximately 60 incidents involving small electronics batteries catching fire, necessitating a response from emergency services. According to Jukka Lepistö, a senior inspector at the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), only cases that require fire department intervention are recorded, leaving out less severe close-call situations.

While it is rare for batteries in consumer devices to explode, there are key warning signs indicating potential danger. Here are some indicators users should be aware of:

1. **Old and Overheating Batteries**: Aging batteries can become more prone to risks. Their effectiveness may diminish over time, and excessive charging can further exacerbate the issue. Experts recommend that lithium batteries should occasionally be allowed to rest. A significant temperature increase while charging can be a strong signal of danger. Lepistö warns that if a phone becomes too hot to hold comfortably during charging, it signals a serious issue.

2. **Dropping the Device**: Hard impacts can damage a battery’s internal components. If a device is dropped and subjected to a severe shock, there might be unseen damages that could lead to hazardous situations later.

3. **Swollen Batteries**: A battery should be immediately taken out of use if it shows any signs of physical damage or swelling. Unusual sounds, smells, or leaks from the battery also indicate danger. In a reported incident, a student’s phone began hissing before it started smoking and became overheated.

If any of these warning signs are observed, usage of the battery should stop immediately. If feasible, users should disconnect the battery to help preserve the device. Faulty batteries need to be taken out of the home and can be disposed of through recycling programs or at stores that sell batteries, as retailers are obligated to accept used batteries.