Lithium-ion batteries are found in many of our modern technological devices, but need to be treated with care. These batteries are generally safe to use, however, they have the same safety risks as other kinds of batteries, including:
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- overheating
- fires
- explosions
Lithium-ion Battery Safety Tips
- Look for recognized Canadian certification marks like CSA, cUL, or cETL. Chargers without these marks do not meet electrical safety standards and may cause electric shock and fires. Several examples of approved symbols include:
Canadian Standard's Association (CSA) Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL) ImageImageImage- Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and only use the battery that is designed for the device.
- Only use the charging cord that came with the device, do not keep charging a device after it is fully charged, and do not charge a device on a soft surface such as under your pillow, on your bed, or on the couch.
- Keep batteries at room temperature when possible, and do not charge them at temperatures below 0 ˚C (32 ˚F) or above 40 ˚C (105 ˚F). Lithium-ion batteries can malfunction when they become too hot or too cold.
- Store batteries away from anything that can catch fire
Stop using the battery if you notice a change in odour, colour, shape, or if there is too much heat, if it leaks, or if it makes odd noises.
Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. They should be taken to one of the County of Simcoe’s Household Hazardous Waste depots to be disposed of properly. To learn more about where these depots are located, visit www.simcoe.ca/waste.