There has been much publicity, recently, about the risks of incorrectly charging e-Bikes and e-Scooters, causing house fires across the country. Last month, we printed information, via Camber Parish Council, about a campaign called Electrical Safety First, which our Parish Council is supporting.
We conducted a small research survey of our own in Camber and were surprised to find out how many people, locally, were unaware of the risks.
Over the last few years, there has been a growing trend for using e-Bikes and e-Scooters to get around. They mostly use lithium-ion batteries, the same kind you can find in many things around your house. Charging e-Bike and e-Scooters safely is very important. If not done right, it could start a fire.
Whilst e-Bikes and e-Scooters offer a great way to get around in cities and towns, if the batteries become damaged or begin to fail, they can start incredibly ferocious fires. Statistics show that the London Fire Brigade gets called to an e-Bike fire every 48 hours on average. Whilst the capital is far more populous than our little village, it does show how easily these vehicles can catch fire.
The UK’s fire brigades advise that Lithium battery fires can quickly spread out of control and start a large fire within seconds. When these batteries are charged in communal areas or escape routes, a fire breaking out can block people’s ability to escape.
Many of these fires are caused by incompatible chargers, modifications to e-Bikes, or faulty or counterfeit products which are purchased online. This includes chargers, lithium batteries and conversion kits for e-Bikes.
As a result of the batteries in e-Bikes and e-Scooters rupturing and causing fires, Transport for London and other public transport providers, including our local Stagecoach buses, are no longer allowing them onboard their vehicles.
London Fire Brigade’s #ChargeSafe campaign wants to prevent fires in e-Bikes and e-Scooters and gives simple safety tips to reduce the risk to the public and firefighters.
Here is some of that advice:
- Buy your e-Bike or e-Scooter from a reputable seller and only use the charger that came with it. If it’s damaged, replace the charger/battery from a reputable supplier. Avoid fake electrical goods.
Register your product with the manufacturer. Check that the products you bought haven’t been recalled. - Never charge your e-Bike or e-Scooter unattended or when you are asleep.
- Don’t cover chargers or batteries while charging, or charge or store near flammable materials.
- Don’t overcharge your battery. Check the instructions for charge times.
- Never block your escape routes or communal areas with an e-Bike or e-Scooter.
- Only use the correct charger for your battery, otherwise you can greatly increase your risk of fire. Unplug your charger once charging has finished.
- Don’t modify or tamper with your batteries. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Get a professional to carry out an e-Bike or e-Scooter conversion – converting pedal bikes into e-Bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous and poses a higher risk of fire. Ensure any conversion kit meets safety standards.
- Don’t dispose of batteries in regular rubbish or recycling. Check with your local authority for battery recycling options.
- Fit working smoke alarms and heat alarms where you’re storing or charging your e-Bike or e-Scooter.
- Don’t overload sockets or use the wrong extension leads.
- Follow instructions for storing and maintaining batteries if not in use for a long time.
- Ensure you have working smoke alarms throughout your home and outbuildings, and that you have them tested regularly.
- Never try to tackle a fire yourself. Do not try to extinguish an e-Bike fire with water as it may make the fire worse. Get away safely and call 999.
GET OUT – STAY OUT – CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE OUT
For further information, use the hashtag #chargesafe which will take you to websites involved with e-Bike and e-Scooter safety.
[Information obtained from https://www.esfrs.org/ and https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/ – accessed 6th September 2024.]
