The Hidden Dangers of Lithium Batteries From Convenience to Catastrophe Earlier this year, an intense fire broke out in the Bronx that injured seven people and required the expertise of over 200 firefighters. After the investigation concluded, experts estimated that the cause of the fire was the lithium-ion battery of an electric scooter. Similar
Are You Throwing a G Graduation season is upon us, and many recent graduates will celebrate the occasion by throwing a party. If your child wants to host a party, it’s vital that you set some ground rules. Ensure they know the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and no matter what, do not supply the alcohol, even if everyone is staying the night and promises to be safe. If you do provide alcohol, you could find yourself in violation of Massachusetts’ Social Host Law. The law states that whoever knowingly or intentionally supplies, gives, provides access to, or allows minors to drink on their property shall be punished by a fine of up to $2,000,
fires occurred in residential homes across the country in the weeks around this event. Firefighters traced each fire back to the lithium or lithium-ion battery of an electric bike or scooter. Lithium batteries are becoming more prevalent in our society, making many question whether these incidents will happen more often.
imprisonment for up to a year, or both. It’s not worth the risk. Below, you will find a few common questions asked about Massachusetts’ Social Host Law.
Am I breaking the law if I allow my child’s underage guests to consume alcohol in my home?
Yes. It is against the law to serve or allow anyone under the age of 21 to drink alcohol in your home or any other property you own. You may face criminal charges for breaking this law.
Many of the devices we use every day are powered by lithium batteries. Your cellphone, headphones, laptops, video game controllers, smoke detectors, electric toothbrushes, and handheld power tools are just a few examples of items that use lithium batteries. Having these items within your home does not necessarily mean you’ll have a fire, but it does mean you need to keep a watchful eye on these devices and electronics. One thing you should watch for is an inflated battery. It doesn’t matter if it’s your e-bike, smartphone, or any other electronic; a bulging battery is bad news. This can occur when a battery spends too much time near extreme heat, is overcharged consistently, or an issue exists with the battery or charger. If you notice your iPhone is coming apart at the seams or your e-bike battery is puffy, see an expert to have your battery replaced. Whatever you do, do not throw an item with a lithium battery in the garbage, regardless of its condition. These batteries are subject to combustion, and when they catch fire, the fire spreads very quickly. You don’t want to risk injuring someone or catching your neighborhood garbage truck on fire. Instead, you should take them to a battery collection site. Depending on your location, that may be a recycling center, collection event, or even Best Buy. Do some research about where to take these items before disposing of them. Lithium batteries can be safe when they receive proper care and attention. Store your devices in a cool, dry location and watch for the warning signs of a bad battery.
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