In a chilling incident captured on video, a playful dog in Tulsa, Oklahoma, mistook a lithium-ion battery-powered phone charger for a chew toy, leading to a fire. The alarming consequences highlighted the potential dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries, often used in portable electronic devices.
The video of the incident was shared by the Tulsa Fire Department to raise awareness that portable phone chargers, as they are powered by lithium-ion batteries, can catch fire.
Andy Little, Public Information Officer for the Tulsa Fire Department, called this a critical issue that has been affecting fire departments across the country. Little cautioned that these batteries, while essential for charging our phones on the go, can put our homes at risk.
Victims of this particular fire, which was ignited by a lithium battery, chose to remain anonymous but shared their footage to warn others. They hoped to prevent similar incidents, especially since their pets narrowly escaped what could have been a fatal disaster, reported Newson6 .
An innocent dog with new chew toy: A lithium-battery charger
The video clip reveals a dog innocently carrying the lithium-battery-powered charger around the living room before settling down to chew on it.
Little explained that lithium-ion batteries store a significant amount of energy in compact space. When released uncontrollably, “it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases, and even lead to explosions.”
The officer added that many people keep these batteries in their homes but might not be aware of the real risks. A lithium-ion battery can catch fire or explode if exposed to extreme heat, damaged, used with incompatible charging equipment, or overcharged. In this incident, the dog’s chewing damaged the battery, initiating a fire that rapidly spread to the couch.
Fortunately, the household pets, including two dogs and a cat, managed to escape unharmed. Besides, the prompt response from the Tulsa Fire Department prevented the fire from completely destroying the house.
The resulting damage was significant, with the footage showing firefighters removing the entire front window of the house.
As these batteries can ignite from heat, overcharging, or physical damage, the fire department aims to bring this “critical matter” to public attention to help prevent future fires.
Mind where you store your lithium batteries
The incident underscores a broader trend. Data from 2020 indicates that fires caused by lithium-battery accidents have increased by 34% over the past five years .
With lithium batteries powering not only cell phones but also devices like flashlights, cameras, and e-bikes, finding safer, eco-friendly alternatives remains a top priority for some researchers .
However, lithium ions mobilize quickly which produces the desired effect: charging our devices as fast as possible .
But, until a replacement is widely adopted, proper disposal and storage of lithium-ion batteries remain crucial to prevent hazardous incidents.
In the meantime, Little urged people, as per Newson6 , to be mindful of where they store their devices. “We don’t want people to charge devices right at the exit,” said Little.
“Put it somewhere else, so if it should start a fire, they would have a way to get out of their home.”
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