What to do if your lithium-ion battery catches fire

Lithium-ion batteries can store a large amount of energy while remaining small and light, which is why they are used for many everyday devices, from smartphones to electric toothbrushes. — dpa

BERLIN: These days, many devices have a lithium-ion battery, from drills to electric toothbrushes, ebikes to smartphones and notebooks. They can store a large amount of energy while remaining small and light.

They are sensitive, however, and if damaged can release their energy suddenly, bursting into flames or exploding and causing extensive damage.

If that happens to your battery, quickly disconnect your charger from the electricity supply.

Extinguish the burning battery with water for as long as possible.

Once you have extinguished the fire, you need to keep cooling the battery as it could catch fire again later on, as chemical processes inside the battery cells may continue, leading to a fresh outbreak.

Cool the batteries in water for a while then store them somewhere safe, say consumer advisors, underlining the importance of that step. That safe place could be a non-flammable surface outdoors, for example.

You can also leave your battery in a container of water until you can dispose of it.

Plus, if it was more than a small fire, then you're advised to call the fire brigade, to be on the safe side, so your battery fire does not damage your home or workplace. – dpa