Battery safety is important for everyone, so this post isn’t aimed solely at vapers. We walk around every day with Lithium Ion batteries in many devices, such as cell phones, laptops, hover-boards, and of course personal vaporizers. All of these power supplies are equally dangerous if handled incorrectly, more so during the peak moths of summer. The things we are about to discuss may be common sense, but every year someone manages to make the news because of improper use. Follow this quick and easy guide and make sure that your summer is spent enjoying the beach, not nursing an injury or trying to buy a new vehicle.
Warning: Lithium Ion Batteries Can Explode
Before we go any further, I am sure that everyone knows that it is possible for a Lithium Ion battery to vent without any warning. There is always an external cause as we outlined in batteries rarely explode by themselves, but the result is almost always the same. In the event of a battery vent DO NOT attempt to extinguish the fire with water as a chemical reaction will occur and make things much worse. The best thing you can do is throw the battery into the grass, away from anyone and run like hell.
Don’t leave Batteries, Kids Or Pets In Cars
None of the above should ever be left unattended in a vehicle for any length of time. It may only feel like its 80°F outside, but the temperature inside the vehicle can quickly reach 120°F, especially if its in direct sunlight. We have all seen countless video’s of passers-by breaking open car windows to save children or that are succumbing to the heat but we rarely think about leaving spare batteries sitting in sunlight. Batteries and heat don’t mix, the outer casing of a cell may already have a weak spot and extra heat may just be the catalyst to bust it wide open. Batteries releasing all of their energy at once, especially in an enclosed space filled with flammable materials is only pretty to arsonists and should be avoided at all costs.
Beach Box Battery Boom
If you are sitting on the beach, leaving a device in direct sunlight can have a similar effect to leaving it in a vehicle. As a human, you know when you’re getting hot and your body regulates your temperature. When a battery starts to get hot, it’s just gonna keep soaking up the heat until it goes critical. Put any devices and spare batteries you have in the shade, take an umbrella if you have to, trust me when I say your cell phone and vape mod do not need a tan.
Keep Your Batteries Away From Water
Not so much the batteries themselves, but any devices they are sitting in that will allow them to short. Now, we know you aren’t (hopefully) going to jump into a pool with your Lithium Ion powered device in your pocket (I am sure it has happened somewhere) but remember when you get out of the pool, dripping water does get everywhere. Putting your device in a waterproof container in the shade and leaving it there until you are dry is probably the safest option.
General Battery Safety
We have written numerous posts on battery safety, but we will touch on the most important aspects here. Never carry loose batteries on your person, always keep them in cases that wont allow the terminals to touch anything they can short on, treat your batteries with respect and they won’t blow up in your face.
This is still a great and relevant article! It can be easy to forget that lithium ion batteries can be dangerous if not properly maintained and used. Thanks for promoting responsible battery use!