Shoppers are advised to shop safely as well as for value, to ensure the gifts under the tree do not ruin the festive season.
The latest Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) statistics show there have been 180 battery related fires so far this year, already outnumbering the 165 Lithium-ion battery-related fires to which FRNSW responded to last year.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, has warned shoppers to not cut corners when buying Lithium-ion battery-powered products, “we don’t want a gift under the tree to ruin the festive season”.
He said the if you were unsure about using batteries, “firefighters are part of the local community and I encourage you to ask their advice”.
“Firefighters are responding to an average of more than three battery fires a week … with lithium power packs and charger fires an increasing concern for fire crews,” he said.
“These batteries are used to power everything from mobile phones and laptops to vacuum cleaners and e-scooters. We would encourage people to choose carefully and consider how they use them in the home.
“These fires can cause significant damage to a home and we encourage homeowners to take care when charging devices, follow charging instructions and dispose of used battery products safely.”
Since March, NSW Fair Trading has conducted inspections of 166 retailers selling electrical articles, including 39 models of e-bikes and e-scooters powered by Lithium-ion batteries. Inspectors found 30 models with non-compliant chargers and the retailers were instructed to remove them from sale.
For more about battery and charging safety, visit fire.nsw.gov.au/batteries
Battery power charger ‘alert’
CHRISTMAS shoppers have been warned about the dangers of charging Lithium-ion products and to beware of sub-standard, Lithium-ion battery-powered devices as fires surge across the State.
