Ensuring Safety: Guidelines for Using Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly popular due to their small size, convenience, high storage capacity, and ability to be quickly charged and reused. However, as the electrolyte inside the battery is flammable, there's a higher risk associated with their use. Special attention should be paid to ensure safety. In the past six years (from 2018 to 2023), Taipei city had experienced 134 lithium-ion battery fires. Among these fires, building fires accounted for 81 incidents (60.4%), while electric vehicle fires accounted for 34 incidents (25.4%). According these statistics, the Fire Department urges the public to follow these guidelines to ensure safety when use lithium-ion battery products: 1. Purchase lithium-ion battery products that have passed safety inspections and bear the certification mark. 2. Read the product manual carefully before use and follow the instructions for safe usage. 3. Avoid overcharging and over-discharging, and use chargers equipped with protection against these issues. 4. Do not charge for a long time or with high current. When not in use for a long time, charge the battery to 70-80% of its capacity. Avoid placing flammable materials near the charging area. 5. If the lithium-ion battery overheats or swells during charging, unplug it and stop charging immediately. 6. Do not apply pressure on product, and avoid charging it in extremely high or low temperatures to prevent short-circuiting. The Fire Department reminds that understanding proper disaster prevention concepts and maintaining good electrical usage habits can significantly reduce the risk of disasters, ensuring a safe living environment! For more information on disaster prevention, visit “Disaster Preparedness Taipei” website. https://www.eoc.gov.taipei/En_DisasterManual/mobile/index.html