HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (CBS12) — A South Florida homeowner heard clicking from a thrifted wheelchair—after moving it outside, the lithium battery exploded, narrowly avoiding a house fire.
Firefighters with Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety say she was inside her residence when she heard an unusual clicking sound coming from the battery pack of a used electric wheelchair she had recently purchased from a thrift store.
Recognizing that something wasn’t right, she chose not to ignore the noise. Instead, she immediately unplugged the chair and moved it outside.
Moments later, the lithium battery exploded.
Ring camera footage shows the homeowner standing at a safe distance as a hissing noise grows louder, sparks escalate into an explosion, and flames quickly follow.
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Firefighters credit her quick thinking for helping her avoid a potentially devastating house fire.
The homeowner then called for help, a decision experts say was critical in preventing what could have become a lithium battery fire.
Investigators say the wheelchair had been charging with a non-manufacturer charger, which can increase the risk of overheating or overloading lithium-ion batteries.
Helpful battery safety tips:
Stop using a device if you hear clicking, popping, or hissing, or see swelling.Move it to a noncombustible area if safe.Use the correct charger: cheap or incompatible chargers can be dangerous.Check the battery for excess heat while charging.Never leave batteries charging unattended.Call 911 if you see smoke or signs of thermal runaway.Comment with Bubbles
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Fire officials are using the incident to serve as an important reminder: when it comes to lithium batteries, early warning signs should not be ignored.