The rise in use of electronic devices and home working have brought new challenges for Staffordshire’s firefighters – and sparked a plea to residents to consider risks in their homes and offices.
Lithium ion batteries, used in many gadgets and appliances such as phones, tablets, cameras and vacuum cleaners, may be unlikely to cause fires directly but they have the potential to accelerate fires should they come into contact with flames, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned.
The issue was raised at a fire service performance meeting last week, with the increase in residents working from home over the past two years prompting calls for those who have set up domestic workspaces to get them checked over to reduce risks.
Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber said:
“We’ve seen a number of changes in terms of accidental dwelling fires. Technology’s great on one hand, but it creates a risk on another hand.
“The amount of lithium ion batteries that are in every household now – every mobile phone, white good appliance – they’re everywhere. And we are seeing issues associated with them.
“Some of the impacts of the economy as well, where people are getting phone chargers that aren’t the reputable manufacturers’ chargers and haven’t gone through the appropriate testing, are causing issues. Batteries in phones being left on charge all night under a pillow that then insulates it are an issue.
“When we go and do our Safe and Well visits we’re talking about the whole of the household. It used to be that hair straighteners had been left on and left on the carpet and setting on fire, but we’re now seeing far more gadgets within the room.
“Most households have got four or five electronic gadgets that all need charging, that are left on charge for long periods of time. Then we are getting issues with the lithium ion batteries.
“In addition to that the move to home working has created other issues. People are having offices in the garden shed or purpose-built offices made.
“If you have had that, contact the local station. They will be happy to come out and give some advice.”
Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber
The move away from petrol and diesel vehicles in the coming years is also considered an “emerging issue” for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The performance report presented to this month’s meeting said:
“Whilst the climate emergency must take precedence, the challenges posed by alternate fuels to fire and rescue services cannot be ignored.
“Unlike petrol and diesel car fires, which once extinguished are out, lithium-ion batteries can easily reignite once alight.
“Huge amounts of water are needed to cool the battery, then the power cables must be cut – which puts firefighters at risk of electrocution – and the toxic gases released from the battery add an extra layer of risk.
“A leading manufacturer for electric vehicles state that fires involving the lithium-ion batteries may take up to 24 hours to fully extinguish and then the vehicle should be quarantined for a further 48 hours to ensure safety should it reignite.
“Hydrogen or other alternative gas powered vehicles also pose a large risk when involved in fires. A recent move for larger vehicles such as buses and trains to be hydrogen powered has seen a number of fires that behave differently to that of standard fuel vehicles.”
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service performance report
