ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- They’re ubiquitous and, according to Arnold Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services officials, they’re not going away anytime soon.
“Almost everything we use nowadays has some sort of lithium-ion battery in it,” said Arnold FES Fire Prevention Officer Christian Lyle.
From cell phones, computers, tablets, smartwatches and doorbell cameras to video game controllers, speakers, earbuds, vacuum cleaners, power tools, razors and electric toothbrushes, many of the devices used or relied upon around the home are now powered by lithium-ion batteries. Even some toys, scooters, bicycles, lawnmowers, vehicles and smoke alarms contain such power sources.
With their ability to be recharged and longer lifespans, lithium-ion batteries possess several advantages over traditional alkaline batteries. However, the modern conveniences offered by lithium-ion batteries don’t come without risks.
The commonality of lithium-ion batteries combined with their potential dangers has led the National Fire Protection Association to make the proper management and disposal of the batteries the focus of its Fire Prevention Week campaign.
This year, Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 5-11. The annual event, which has been sponsored by the NFPA for more than a century, is the longest-running public health observance in the U.S. The goal of Fire Prevention Week is to raise fire safety awareness and provide public education to reduce fire-related casualties.
The theme of Fire Prevention Week 2025 is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” The effort aims to educate people about the importance of safely buying, charging and recycling lithium-ion batteries.
“While these batteries provide an effective and efficient source of power, the likelihood of them overheating, catching on fire and even leading to explosions increases when they are damaged or improperly used, charged or stored,” the NFPA website states.
The Arnold FES personnel are doing their part to spread this message to team members across Arnold Engineering Development Complex, headquartered at Arnold AFB.
“The NFPA is really pushing it this year because they’ve noticed an uptick of lithium-ion-related fires,” Lyle said.
According to the NFPA, since 2022, New York City alone has experienced more than 800 fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries, leading to 30 deaths and more than 400 injuries. The batteries have become the third-leading cause of accidental fires across New York City, trailing electrical wiring and smoking.
Lithium-ion batteries are flammable because they store a lot of energy in a small amount of space, according to the NFPA. When that energy is released in an uncontrolled manner, heat is generated, which can turn certain internal battery components into flammable and toxic gases.
Fires from lithium-ion batteries happen for a variety of reasons, the NFPA website states. These include physical damage, such as when the battery is penetrated, crushed or exposed to water; electrical damage, such as overcharging or using charging equipment not designed for the battery; exposure to extreme temperatures; and product defects.
“Heat, smoke, the release of toxic gases and the potential for explosions are the dangers associated with lithium-ion battery fires,” the NFPA website states.
As part of its Fire Prevention Week campaign, the NFPA is providing tips for the proper usage of lithium-ion batteries.
The NFPA recommends that only devices listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory should be purchased and used. Such products have safety certification marks such as UL, ETL, CE or CSA. The manufacturer’s instructions for devices should always be followed.
Only use the battery that is designed for a specific device and only use the charging cord that came with the device, the NFPA urges.
Lithium-ion battery-powered devices should not be charged under a pillow, on a bed or on a couch. Instead, devices should be charged on hard surfaces. Do not continue charging the device or battery after it is fully charged.
Keep lithium-ion batteries at room temperature when possible. They should not be charged at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lithium-ion batteries should be stored away from anything that can catch fire.
The NFPA further advises to stop using a battery if these problems are observed:
- Odor
- Change in color
- Too much heat
- Change in shape
- Leaking
- Odd noises
If any of these issues are present, the NFPA recommends moving the lithium-ion battery-powered device away from anything that can catch fire, if it is safe to do so, and calling 911.
Lyle said the proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries is paramount.
“If you just throw it in the trash, those batteries are still energized, and if they’re deformed or damaged can cause trash fires,” he said. “That’s why NFPA, and us as well, are really trying to push the proper disposal of the batteries.”
The NFPA also urges users not to throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins as they could start a fire. The batteries or devices containing them should instead be recycled at a safe battery recycling location. Visit the website call2recycle.org to locate the nearest lithium-ion recycling site.
“It’s definitely one of those things that you want to dispose of properly,” Lyle said. “Let the professionals – those recycling centers or those drop off centers – let them dispose of it properly in the way that it needs to be done for the safety of the family, for the safety of the work center.”
Locations near Arnold Air Force Base that can accept low-energy rechargeable batteries, such as those for power tools and in cell phones, include the Lowe’s in Tullahoma and the Home Depot stores in Winchester and Manchester.
“We definitely want people to take this seriously,” Lyle added. “We carry lithium-ion batteries in our pockets every day with our cell phones. We carry them on our wrists. We wear them in our ears, and we don’t even think about it. Lithium-ion batteries are not going anywhere. We use them every day. We really need to start thinking about the proper way to dispose of our lithium-ion batteries.”
For additional information, contact the Arnold FES Fire Prevention Office at 931-454-5569 or 931-454-5306 or visit the National Fire Protection Association Fire Prevention Week website at https://www.nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week.