Black Friday prompts warning over danger batteries

Safety advice includes never leaving batteries on charge overnight

People could be storing and using dangerous batteries without knowing it, a fire service has warned, as people shop for gifts in the run-up to Black Friday and Christmas.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in many everyday items, such as e-bikes, e-scooters, phones, laptops and vapes.

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has warned the batteries can start a fire without warning, that spreads in seconds, burns at extreme temperatures, releases toxic, explosive fumes and can be deadly as people can be left with little chance to escape.

Last year, Karlo Bogdan, 24, and Natasha Johnson-Mall, 27, died with their two dogs a Coventry house fire started by a battery in a converted e-bike.

After the couple died, their families spoke out to raise awareness of the potential dangers, particularly with converted e-bikes.

Ms Bogdan's sister, Ehsia Johnson-Mall, said the world had "lost a truly precious person".

She warned people that when they do come to realise there's something wrong with their bike, "it's going to be too late".

In 2021, after a hoverboard battery exploded in the home of a bedbound woman in Smethwick, her son Shane Johnson, shared the home security video through WMFS to warn other people.

A hoverboard battery exploded in a Smethwick house in 2021

As a new safety campaign was launched on Monday, assistant chief fire officer Steve Ball said: "Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of Karlo and Natasha who lost their lives so unnecessarily a year ago."

He said: "As Black Friday and Christmas approach, we're asking people to take extra care when buying gifts, and to make sure devices with lithium-ion batteries are charged safely."

The fire service has reported a sharp increase in incidents linked to lithium-ion batteries, with 40 incidents in 2023, 69 in 2024, and 65 by 31 October this year.

Crews recorded six fires involving e-bikes and batteries in 2023, 13 in 2024 and 16 by 31 October this year.

The rise is echoed nationally, with business insurer QBE publishing research based on freedom of information requests showing UK fire brigades were now tackling at least three lithium-ion battery fires a day. Numbers rose by 93% between 2022 and 2024.

WMFS said a rechargeable device would probably have a lithium-ion battery, and while the risk of one failing was very low, even a well maintained battery could fail unexpectedly.

Many people don't realise they use them daily, and could be engaging in dangerous purchase, charging and storage behaviours, officers said.

Tips include using trusted retailers, not charging overnight, disposing of batteries properly and watching out for heat, leaks, odours and damage.

WMFS has published advice on its website.