Electrical Safety Week 2025

The first week of September in the Northern Territory is Electrical Safety Week. This year, NT WorkSafe is urging Territorians to think about lithium-ion battery safety.

Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of battery used in rechargeable devices such as laptops, mobile phones, e-bikes, e-scooters and power tools.

It’s most likely that you have a lithium-ion battery on you as you reading this, either in your mobile phone, smart watch or wireless earbuds/headphones.

The increased prevalence lithium-ion battery in society, has seen an increase of fires linked to this battery type across Australia.

In the 2024-25 financial year, Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service attributed three fires directly to the charging of Lithium-Ion batteries (two power banks and one mobile phone) which caused significant fire damage to the property.

Why are lithium-ion battery fires so dangerous?

Lithium-ion battery fires are dangerous due to a chain reaction called thermal runaway. This reaction causes rapid over heating in the battery potentially leading to intense fires, explosions that can also release toxic gases.

Lithium-ion battery fires are difficult to extinguish with water-based extinguishers, and the thermal runaway can cause fires that appear extinguished to reignite.

What can lead to a lithium-ion battery fire?

• Overcharging or using of non-compliant or compatible charging equipment.
• Overheating the battery through exposure to heat or extreme temperatures.
• Damaging the battery by dropping, crushing or piercing it.

Lithium-ion battery fires can also occur through:

• battery cell malfunctions, system faults or short-circuiting
• defects during the manufacturing process.

Safety tips

Purchasing

• Only purchase batteries and chargers from reliable manufacturers that carry the Regulatory Compliance Mark.
  • If the battery or charger is a replacement, purchase them from your device manufacturer if possible.
• Ensure replacement chargers are suitable for the device. The replacement should ideally have the same voltage and at least the same current (measured in amps) as the original.

Safe use

• Do not expose lithium-ion batteries to heat or extreme temperatures, such as leaving them in parked vehicles.
• Do not modify lithium-ion batteries.
• Never use batteries designed for one device in another device.
• Check the battery for damage or failure before use, looking for:
  • denting, crushing or other damage
  • overheating
  • swelling
  • leaking
  • venting gas.
• Let batteries cool down after use and before recharging.
• Store batteries or devices in areas where they are not exposed to heat or moisture.

Charging

• Always use the charger that came with the device if possible or check that the replacement charger is suitable for the device (even if a charger fits, that doesn’t mean it’s compatible or safe).
• Monitor device charging times and disconnect devices when fully charged. Consider setting timers as a reminder to unplug devices.
• Never charge lithium-ion batteries or device on beds, sofas, carpet or flammable material, charge on non-flammable surfaces such as concrete, ceramic or steel.
• Never use damaged chargers or charging cables, always check before use.
• Avoid charging battery or devices overnight when you are sleeping or when you are away from home.
• Always charge devices, especially e-scooters and e-bikes, in a well-ventilated area.

Safe disposal

• Never throw lithium-ion batteries into household waste bins. Lithium-ion batteries have caught fire in rubbish trucks and waste facilities.
• Do an online search to find lithium-ion battery disposal points for your local area.