A Kiwi insurance provider is sounding a cautionary note on the proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries, emphasising the need for care due to associated fire risks.
Recent data from AMI Insurance reveals a concerning frequency of home insurance claims related to fire damage caused by lithium-ion batteries and their charging systems. The trend has persisted steadily, with at least one such claim reported each month. This issue was initially highlighted by AMI in 2021 when a surge of claims related to battery-caused fires was observed, according to an NZ Herald report.
These lightweight and compact batteries are prevalent in household appliances such as phones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles like cars, bikes, and scooters. However, the growing adoption of lithium-ion batteries has also led to a notable increase in fires stemming from these batteries.
Wayne Tippet, executive general manager at AMI, said that the fires typically commence with batteries overheating and eventually igniting, or in severe cases, exploding. Instances have been noted involving Chromebooks, e-bikes, and e-scooters erupting in flames or exploding, especially when left on charge.
While these fires can cause significant damage, they are primarily attributed to three preventable causes: defective components, improper charging methods, and mishandling of the batteries.
“When charging electronic devices such as phones or tablets, do not place them on soft surfaces and do not leave devices on charge for extended periods of time,” Tippet said.
AMI’s warning also comes as a Fire & Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) campaign was recently launched to focus on raising awareness regarding the possible dangers of incorrectly charging lithium-ion batteries.
Elsewhere for the insurer, AMI recently received the title of Canstar’s car insurer of the year, along with an outstanding value award win.
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