CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Cape Coral fire officials are raising awareness about the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries during Fire Prevention Week, emphasizing safe charging and disposal practices.
The Cape Coral Fire Department has reported an increase in lithium-ion battery fires, including a recent incident involving an e-bike. Officials say common mistakes include overcharging batteries and charging devices on soft surfaces like beds or pillows. They recommend charging devices on hard surfaces and, for larger items like e-bike or power tool batteries, charging them outside or in a garage.
Cape Coral Fire Public Information Officer Andrea Schuch explained the dangers of improper disposal.
“On top of home fires where items have caught fire, we’ve also responded to garbage truck fires where these lithium-ion batteries have then compacted, and then that damage to the battery causes them to catch on fire. And then the dump truck has to dump their garbage load. And nobody likes that because it makes a big smelly mess,” Schuch said.
Schuch advised using the charger that comes with the battery and ensuring holiday gifts are certified and tested. When traveling by plane, lithium-ion batteries must be kept in the cabin.
When it’s time to dispose of batteries, officials warn against tossing them in the trash. Instead, they recommend dropping them off at a household chemical waste facility, such as the Topaz Court Waste Facility in Fort Myers.
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