Lithium-Ion Batteries and Home Fire Safety: What We’re Seeing — and What We Recommend
By Kellie Andriessen
As property managers, our role goes well beyond leases and maintenance. Keeping people safe in their homes is a responsibility we take very seriously.
Through recent industry training and safety briefings, we’ve been strongly advised to raise awareness around lithium-ion battery fire risks — a growing issue that is now affecting homes across NSW, including our local area.
Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we rely on every day, but when they are charged, stored or used incorrectly, they can pose a serious fire risk.
Why this matters
More than 1,000 lithium-ion battery–related fires were reported across Australia in the past year, with several tragic fatalities. One of the first confirmed fatalities occurred locally in Lake Macquarie in 2024, reinforcing that this risk is not distant or theoretical — it is real and close to home.
What are lithium-ion batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries (often labelled Li-ion, Lithium-polymer or Li-po) are used in phones, laptops, power tools, power banks, e-bikes and e-scooters. Many are hidden inside devices, making them difficult to identify.
Industry bodies, including the ACCC, estimate that by 2026 the average Australian household will have around 33 lithium-ion powered devices, making safe charging practices more important than ever.
What we’ve learnt through training
Fire authorities consistently highlight that the greatest danger comes from:
- unsafe or unattended charging
- damaged batteries
- non-compliant or poor-quality chargers
When a lithium-ion battery fails, it can enter thermal runaway — a rapid chain reaction that produces intense heat, flammable gases and toxic smoke in seconds. These fires develop extremely quickly and are very difficult to control.
Fire and Rescue NSW strongly advises that members of the public should never attempt to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire and should evacuate immediately.
Recommended safety measures
Based on training guidance and fire authority recommendations, we strongly encourage households to:
- Only use approved chargers supplied with the device or certified as compatible
- Avoid charging devices overnight, especially while sleeping or away from home
- Charge devices on hard, non-combustible surfaces, away from furniture and soft furnishings
- Keep charging devices clear of exits and doorways, so escape routes remain accessible
- Regularly inspect batteries for swelling, overheating, leaks or damage
- Never tamper with or modify battery-powered devices
- Dispose of faulty batteries responsibly at approved battery recycling locations — never in household rubbish
If a battery catches fire
Training and fire authorities are very clear on this point:
- Evacuate immediately and close doors if safe to do so
- Do not re-enter the property for any reason
- Call Triple Zero (000) from a safe location
The smoke and gases released are highly toxic and must not be inhaled.
The rise of e-bikes and e-scooters
A significant increase in lithium-ion battery incidents has been linked to e-bikes and e-scooters, which often use large battery packs and are frequently charged indoors.
In NSW, 20% of lithium-ion battery incidents attended by Fire and Rescue NSW in 2023 involved e-bikes or e-scooters, accounting for half of all related injuries.
Smoke alarms remain critical
While smoke alarms won’t prevent a lithium-ion battery fire, they provide the earliest possible warning, giving occupants vital time to escape.
In rental properties:
- Landlords and property managers must ensure smoke alarms are installed and tested annually in line with legislation
- Tenants are responsible for regular testing and basic maintenance during the tenancy
Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and awareness plays a key role in keeping everyone safe.
If you have any questions about fire safety requirements in your rental property, or would like guidance on best practice, our team is always here to help.
— Kellie