Lithium battery explodes in Vancouver Island fire chief’s home

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The chief of the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department near Qualicum Beach is warning people about lithium batteries after one exploded in his home.

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Nick Acciavatti says the incident occurred on Saturday Nov. 30, about a week after he purchased the new battery to use in an air-soft gun.

“We had a very close call yesterday afternoon which if our smoke alarms were not working and quick action (not taken) to extinguish the fire, we would have lost our home or at best made it unliveable,” he said in a social media post.

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“The battery was not charging and not plugged into anything and was set down on the floor. The subsequent fire caught some clothes on fire in the closet and if it went unnoticed it would have extended further into the closet and undoubtedly caught the bedroom on fire. Lucky for us someone was home to hear the alarms and see the smoke/fire.

“This is a good reminder to keep a watchful eye on lithium batteries, don’t leave them plugged beyond their charge capacity, and routinely check them for damage.

“Although this product may had have a manufacturing defect that was unnoticeable, it’s a good reminder that even when you think a product is safe, to keep a close eye on them.”

Acciavatti said he would be reaching out to the battery maker this week to report the fire.

Photos from the scene show the battery is sold under the brand Airsoft Logic and is described as a three-cell lithium polymer with 11.1 volts of power.

In June of last year, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services reported officers had answered 25 calls up to that point in 2023. Of the 10 fire deaths in Vancouver in 2022 half were caused by rechargeable batteries.

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“These fires are increasing in Vancouver and across Canada,” Matthew Trudeau, public information officer for Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, said at the time. The worrying trend of battery fires is also being observed in the U.S.

Most explosions in Vancouver are happening as a result of e-bike, laptop, vacuum, tablet and cellphone owners not following manufacturer’s directions or recommended best practices for battery charging, Trudeau said.

Safety tips

A Consumer Reports article suggests these safety tips for any lithium-ion, battery-powered device:

• Buy an electric bike certified by a qualified testing laboratory.

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage. Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the bike.

• Make sure to use a charger that has one of the recognized Canadian certification marks, such as CSA, cUL or cETL. These marks indicate that the products are assessed to the required Canadian electrical safety standards. Chargers that do not meet the required electrical safety standards may cause electric shocks and fire hazards for consumers.

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• Do not leave an electric bike unattended while it’s charging and don’t charge overnight.

•If a battery overheats or you notice an odour, a change in shape or colour, a leak or odd noises, stop using immediately.

• If the battery reacts in an alarming way, move the device away from anything that can catch fire, if it’s safe to do so, and call 911.

• Keep batteries and devices at room temperature. Do not place in direct sunlight.

• Store batteries away from anything flammable.

• Do not use aftermarket batteries.

• Do not charge an electronic device under your pillow or bed or near a couch.

• Do not block your primary way into and out of the building with an e-bike.

• Do not leave an e-bike in a child’s room.

dcarrigg@postmedia.com

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