Rescue Board struggling with lithium battery fires

Lithium-ion batteries, found in smartphones, laptops, cordless power tools and electric vehicles, cause an average of nearly 40 fires annually in Estonia, according to Rescue Board statistics. These fires differ from conventional ones because a battery can reignite after the flames are extinguished, requiring rescuers to cool devices in water for extended periods and monitor them.

Tuuli Taavet, a safety awareness expert at the Rescue Board, says extinguishing lithium battery fires is not always easy. Sometimes the device must be cooled for days, and in the case of cars, at least seven days. For smaller devices, if safe, they can be submerged in water. For powerful devices like electric vehicles, the Rescue Board should be called immediately.

Taavet notes these fires burn extremely intensely at high temperatures, pose a significant explosion risk, and release highly toxic gases. Most battery-related accidents occur at night while people sleep. To reduce risk, the board advises against using damaged batteries and recommends not leaving charging devices unattended. Devices should be charged at normal room temperature, not in damp or overly hot places, away from combustible materials, and the room must have a smoke detector.