We’re sharing important safety advice for anyone who owns or uses an e scooter or e bike, following a nationwide increase in fires linked to these vehicles.
Across the UK, more fires are being caused by problems with lithium ion batteries used in e scooters and e bikes. These fires are often linked to faulty or damaged batteries, or to chargers that are not designed for the device. Because of the risk, it’s important that e scooters and e bikes are stored and charged safely at home.
What should you do?
To help keep people safe, e scooters and e bikes must never be stored in communal areas or fire exit routes. This includes shared hallways, stairwells and corridors in blocks of flats. These areas need to stay clear so everyone can get out safely if there is a fire.
Where possible, we recommend storing e scooters and e bikes in a room with a fire door and a working smoke detector. This helps reduce the risk of a fire blocking your escape route if something does go wrong.
Charging safely is just as important. Batteries should be charged during the day, when people are awake and able to react quickly if there is a problem. Charging overnight or while you are asleep increases the risk of serious harm. Always unplug the charger once charging is complete.
Our suggestions
We’ve pulled together some key suggestions if you’re thinking about buying or already have an electric scooter or bike:
- Always buy e scooters, e bikes and replacement chargers from reputable sellers.
- Only use the charger designed for your specific device.
- Allow batteries to cool down before charging.
- Charge batteries on a hard, flat surface to reduce overheating.
- Avoid using or charging damaged batteries and dispose of them correctly.
Batteries should never be exposed to extreme temperatures and should not be knocked or damaged during use or storage, as this can increase the risk of failure.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions every time you charge is one of the simplest ways to stay safe.
If there’s an emergency
Finally, it’s important that everyone in your household knows what to do in an emergency. Make sure you have a clear escape plan and always call 999 if a fire starts.
Never try to tackle a battery fire yourself.
By following this guidance, we can all help reduce the risk of fire and keep our homes and communities safe.
You can read more e-scooters and e-bikes safety advice on our webpage here.
You can also read more about fire safety on our webpage here.
Image credit: Shutterstock.com/Irene-Miller
