Rechargeable Battery Safety

Battery emergency

Is a battery smoking or on fire?

Get everyone outside immediately. Close doors behind you, call 911 from outside, and stay outside. Do not handle the battery or reenter the building.

Use rechargeable batteries safely

Lithium-ion batteries power phones, laptops, e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools, toys, and many other devices. A damaged, defective, or improperly used battery can overheat, catch fire, or explode. Use the correct charger, charge on a firm surface, and stop using a battery that shows a warning sign.

Stop using a battery if you notice a warning sign

Explore the four senses below to help identify a problem with a rechargeable battery.

Smell

An unusual chemical, burning, or electrical odor

Action

Stop using the device. If it is charging and you can disconnect it without touching a hot, damaged, leaking, smoking, or unstable battery, disconnect power. Keep away from the device and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for a damaged battery.

See

Discoloration
Swelling or bulging
Leaking
Smoke

Action

Stop using the device. Do not puncture, crush, or continue charging the battery. If it is smoking, get outside and call 911.

Feel

Excessive or unusual heat

Action

Stop using the device. Do not handle a battery that is too hot to touch safely.

Hear

Hissing
Popping
Crackling

Action

Stop using the device and move away from it. If there is smoke or fire, get outside and call 911.

Use and charge devices safely

Choose safe products

Purchase and use devices listed by a qualified testing laboratory, such as UL.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Teach household members how to use and charge devices safely.

Charge safely

Use the charging cord and charger supplied or approved by the manufacturer.
Charge the device on a firm, flat surface.
Keep batteries at room temperature and away from heat sources.
Unplug the device when it is fully charged.
Do not leave a device charging overnight.
Do not charge a damaged, swollen, leaking, unusually hot, or recalled battery.

Prepare batteries for recycling

Do not place lithium-ion batteries or devices containing them in household garbage or curbside recycling bins. Take them to a participating retailer, certified electronics recycler, household hazardous waste facility, or other approved collection program.

For ordinary, undamaged batteries:

Put each battery in its own clear plastic bag.
Cover exposed terminals with nonconductive tape, such as electrical tape.
Keep battery labels visible.
Store batteries in a cool, dry place in a nonmetal container until they can be recycled.
Handle batteries carefully and keep them away from heat and moisture.

Contact a recycling location before taking in a swollen, leaking, recalled, hot, or otherwise damaged battery. The facility may have special instructions or may not accept damaged batteries.

Battery Recycling Locations

Search by County:

Please select a county from the list above to see local recycling options.

Get lithium-ion battery safety materials

The Oregon State Fire Marshal offers a lithium-ion battery safety brochure in English and Spanish. Printable materials in Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese are available by request.