Michigan officials warn buyers on products containing lithium-ion batteries

With the holidays approaching, many people might try to save a few bucks by going on a bargain hunt and purchasing these used or pre-owned things, but buyers beware.

On Monday, fire officials from all throughout Michigan came together to raise awareness about the use of products that include lithium-ion batteries.

These batteries are frequently discovered in objects that wind up under trees, and if those objects were once possessed, your battery might cause more harm than good. We utilize them on a daily basis. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in cell phones, laptops, and electric bikes and scooters.

With the holidays approaching, many people might try to save a few bucks by going on a bargain hunt and purchasing these used or pre-owned things, but buyers beware.

State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer advised Michiganders to exercise caution and consider their battery usage in order to prevent or minimize fires.

Verify that this sticker is present on any item, such as a motorized bike, before buying it from a secondhand store that uses a lithium-ion battery.

“The main thing they should be looking for is for a ‘Certified Testing Laboratory’ initially on that particular device like a UL or a CR or something of that nature, to give the consumer confidence that it s actually been tested,” Donald Thomas, the Fire Marshal of Detroit, stated.

Additionally, confirm if the device is working by examining the battery’s condition.

“Check for the battery to make sure it is not warm or over heating if it smells funny these things are actually signs that there may be a problem with the battery,” stated Thomas.

Make sure you obtain the correct kind of battery if you need a new one.

“The one thing we make sure we do is that we match it, like, for like for like, same manufacturer, same charger same battery and that could reduce some of the chances that there could be an actual fire emergency,” Thomas stated.

Lithium-ion battery fires are difficult to extinguish.

“So this is where technology kind of got ahead of the fire service,” reported Ferndale Chief Teresa Robinson. “Foam does not work we just have to use copious amounts of water, and we do a lot of trial and error to figure out what is the best way to put this out.”

Make sure you only charge your e-scooter in specific locations when you bring it home. Do not charge it near your home’s entrance or exit, or if it is broken or inundated in water.

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