by Erick Wikum
Cars, e-bikes, scooters, lawn mowers, yard tools, pressure washers, vacuum cleaners, phones, tablets and more—battery-powered devices are proliferating. And those using lithium-ion batteries require extra caution.
A Maineville family recently learned a most difficult lesson concerning the charging of devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. The family’s home was engulfed in flames in the middle of the night. Were it not for some good Samaritans who happened by, lives may have been lost. As it was, the house was a complete loss, and a neighboring home was damaged. The cause of the fire? Children’s e-bikes, which were charging in the garage.
Click here for a story about the fire, and click here for another emotional follow-up story about the reunion of the family and those who saved them (both from WLWT).
These stories provide critically important guidance for us to follow. Charge a battery only under supervision and stop charging when the battery is fully charged.
Battery-powered devices, including the many e-bikes we now see on the Little Miami Scenic Trail, are here to stay. Educate yourself about charging safety and share what you know with others. Click here to access a comprehensive safety resource from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Photos: WLWT
July 2024
