by Charles Miller

In an earlier column a few weeks ago I mentioned, somewhat in passing, that the most popular type of rechargeable batteries used in smart phones and laptops have the potential to be a fire hazard. Unfortunately, the lightweight high-capacity batteries favored for use in portable devices can combust under the right circumstances. Just open any internet search engine and do a search for the words “battery” and “fire” and you are guaranteed to be shown thousands of stories about batteries that caught fire. There are many videos of laptop computers spontaneously bursting into flames, and there is one video showing the spectacular result of the collision of two electric vehicles.

My cousin the firefighter speaks reverently of the Fire Code as being “written in blood.” Literally every regulation found its way into the Code as a result of some accident in which some unfortunate soul lost their life. Obviously, fires can be dangerous. The Fire Codes around the world are constantly updated and in recent years have added many new regulations having to do with battery safety.

Airlines have had to deal with this by prohibiting the carrying of uninstalled lithium ion and lithium metal batteries in checked luggage; they must be carried in carry-on baggage only and with special permission. Boeing had to temporary ground the fleet of 787 Dreamliner aircraft after several of them suffered from electrical system problems attributed to lithium-ion batteries. The marketing department said it was not a fire but an “uncontrolled thermal runaway.”

While there may be only a million-in-one chance of my smart phone or laptop bursting into flames, I have decided to take some simple precautions. I used to keep a couple of old laptops on a very convenient shelf in a clothes closet. When I looked at how much combustible wood and clothing was available there to fuel a fire I decided to put the old laptops in a less-convenient storage cabinet, but one made of metal. Likewise, I took a look at where I was putting my portable devices when not carrying them. It really does not take much effort to ask yourself “What if?” Thinking of where I put my cell phone when I charge it overnight I looked at the wooden book cabinet full of paper books and realized that could make a nice bonfire. I settled on a less-convenient but more fire-safe location for charging. I am not sure I was entirely successful when I suggested to a girlfriend that sleeping with her phone under her pillow might not be the smartest thing to do. There must be safer ways to listen to soft music before dozing off.

Equally important is to use the charger that came with your device and only that charger. Other USB chargers might fit, and might charge your battery; but just because it works does not mean you are safe. The wrong charger might work for months before it causes the battery to swell in size breaking the glass of your expensive smart phone. If that is all that happens, please count your blessings. At least your house did not burn down.

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Charles Miller is a freelance computer consultant with decades of IT experience and a Texan with a lifetime love for Mexico. The opinions expressed are his own. He may be contacted at 415-101-8528 or email FAQ8 (at) SMAguru.com.

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