People are being urged to unplug their electronic devices once fully charged, amid a rise in fires linked to lithium-ion batteries.
Data from insurer AMI shows a 17% year-on-year increase in fires caused by these batteries, which power everyday items like phones, laptops, power tools, and hearing aids. Sarah-Jane Knox, Consumer Affairs Manager at the Insurance Council of New Zealand, told RNZ’s Nine to Noon that incorrect charging practices are a key cause.
This includes using the wrong charger, charging damaged devices, or leaving devices plugged in for too long. “Once lithium-ion batteries are charged, they should be unplugged. They’re not safe to leave on overnight, especially with items like power tools,” Knox warned.
While electric vehicles typically have manufacturer guidelines allowing for overnight charging, smaller devices like phones and laptops should not be left on soft furnishings such as beds or couches while charging. If these batteries overheat, they can release a toxic and explosive gas, creating intense fires that are difficult to extinguish.
Lithium-ion batteries are now responsible for 10% of total-loss house fires in
New Zealand.
The issue is not isolated. In 2023, Auckland firm Simsmetal Industries was fined $30,000 after a fire at its scrap yard was traced back to a lithium-ion battery. In Western Australia, authorities report an average of three house fires a week caused by exploding batteries, and some apartment complexes have started banning electric vehicles over fire risk concerns.
While insurers in New Zealand and Australia aren’t yet raising premiums or restricting use, they have expressed growing concern about the increasing frequency and severity of these battery-related fires. -TIN Bureau