Lithium-ion batteries can be a fire hazard; here are some safety tips

Dangers of lithium-ion batteries

A lithium-ion battery in an e-scooter overheated while it was charging and sparked a fire that swept through a bike shop in Queens. The FDNY has safety tips for using devices with lithium-ion batteries.

NEW YORK - The lithium-ion battery in an e-scooter overheated during charging, sparking a fire that ripped through a bike shop and part of a building in Queens this week, according to the FDNY.

The fire ravaged the Cinco Hermanos Bike Shop in Astoria on Monday. The shop's owner said the fire caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

The FDNY said a number of fires in the city have started because of faulty lithium-ion or other rechargeable batteries in an e-bike, e-scooter, and other electronic devices such as phones, tablets, and robotic vacuum cleaners.

So many fires are started by lithium-ion batteries that the FDNY has a PSA with safety tips. Here is a summary of the tips:

Don't charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or near a couch
Always use the manufacturer's cord and power adapter
Keep batteries and devices at room temperature; don't place them in direct sunlight
Store batteries away from anything flammable
Stop using a battery if it overheats, leaks, emits an odor, or changes shape or color
Don't leave e-bikes/e-scooters unattended while charging
Don't charge e-bikes/e-scooters overnight
Don't throw rechargeable batteries in the trash or recycling; you must dispose of them at a facility that handles batteries

The FDNY and FDNY Foundation safety tips for handling and using lithium-ion batteries.