As we have experienced a spell of warmer weather, we are continuing to look at every possible way to keep our communities safe. We have already shared updated guidance on staying safe near open water, avoiding barbeques on dry ground, and taking extra care when using outdoor farming machinery. You can find out more here - Red Warning Week Ahead: Firefighters Urge residents to Stay Safe This Week. – Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service
Alongside these seasonal risks, we also want to highlight an important safety reminder that may not immediately come to mind during warm weather, the impact of high temperatures on lithium‑ion batteries.
These batteries are found in everyday household and personal items like e‑scooters, laptops, mobile phones, vapes, power tools and while generally safe, high heat significantly increases the likelihood of swelling, overheating, or a fire risk.
Keeping You Safe
Lithium‑ion batteries are sensitive to heat. When exposed to high temperatures, internal components can become unstable, leading to swelling, overheating and thermal runaway.
What to do in an Emergency
A swollen lithium-ion battery is a severe fire hazard, if a lithium‑ion battery does catch on fire:
- Stop using and charging the device immediately.
- Evacuate quickly, move everyone outside and close doors behind you to contain the fire.
- Call 999 and ask for the fire service. Do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself.
- Avoid smoke, battery fires can release gases.
- Don’t throw it in household bins and avoid attempting to remove the battery if it is stuck.
- If you can move the battery, place it in a non-flammable container outdoors and arrange for specialist disposal.
Buckinghamshire Council shared Disposal Guidance for batteries here:
Do not put batteries in your bins.
You can use our kerbside service to recycle most household batteries but they must be kept separate from your other waste and recycling.
Place batteries loose in small clear bags and put the bags on top of any bin on collection day (avoid placing in direct sunlight). You can use any type of clear bag.
Batteries they can collect:
- Household batteries
- Mobile phone batteries
- Laptop batteries
- Power tool batteries
Batteries they can’t collect
- Damaged or leaking batteries
- Industrial batteries
- Car batteries – take these to a household recycling centre
You can also dispose of batteries at any of their 10 HRCs and many supermarkets or shops that sell batteries are obligated to collect them for disposal.
Ade Osibogun, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Waste, said:
“Many of us rely on batteries every day to power everything from mobile phones and laptops to tools and e-bikes, but it’s important to remember they need to be disposed of safely once they’re no longer needed.
“In hot temperatures, damaged or swollen batteries can become more of a fire risk, so we’d encourage residents not to store unwanted batteries at home for long periods. Instead, recycle them using our kerbside battery collection service or at one of our Household Recycling Centres.
“Please never put batteries in your household bins. Taking a few simple precautions can help keep your home, collection crews and local communities safe.”
We urge our community to remain vigilant during periods of high heat. Lithium‑ion batteries are safe when used correctly, but hot weather can have an impact on the devices. By following proper storage, charging, and disposal practices, you can help prevent fires and keep communities safe.
Group Commander Barrie Ackerlay shared;
“During periods of sustained hot weather, our priority is to ensure the safety of every member of our community. While many people are aware of seasonal risks such as open water, barbeques, and dry ground, naturally fewer may not consider that high temperatures can also place additional strain on everyday devices powered by lithium‑ion batteries.
We want our community to understand the signs of a battery overheating and take simple steps to reduce the risk. By staying vigilant and following safe charging, storage, and disposal practices, we can work together to prevent avoidable fires and keep our communities safe throughout the summer.”
For more advice specifically on electric bikes and scooters, click here – Electric bikes and electric scooters – Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service