Hidden batteries could spark Christmas fires, warns Suffolk Fire and Rescue
They're urging everyone to dispose of batteries safely
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to take extra care with batteries this Christmas, warning that hidden or damaged lithium batteries can cause devastating fires at home or in waste sites.
The service has joined Suffolk County Council and FCC Environment in a county-wide safety campaign after a rise in fires linked to batteries placed in household bins or thrown away with general waste.
Lee Wilkins, Group Manager for Prevention at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said batteries are now found in almost every home, and the risks grow at Christmas.
“Batteries are everywhere in this day and age,” he said. “They’re going to be in the things that we use over Christmas, the presents that we buy, the toys that we buy for our children, vapes, rechargeable things, phones, laptops. It’s about keeping safe, but also safe disposal of these batteries.”
Cases have risen over 70% in a year
The warning follows a major fire at FCC Environment’s Red Lodge site near Newmarket in April, where a single battery triggered an eight-day blaze that required 660,000 litres of water to extinguish and caused £60,000 of damage.
Nationally, the National Fire Chiefs Council recorded more than 1,200 preventable battery fires in 2023, a rise of more than 70% in a year.
Mr Wilkins said Suffolk is seeing the impact too.
“I would say that there is a spike; there has been an increase in fires caused by batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries,” he said.
Why are we seeing an increase
Wilkins warned that the rise is partly driven by the growing number of household items that rely on rechargeable batteries, but also by unsafe, cheaper products bought online.
“People are buying vape equipment, e-bike batteries, and recycling cables online because sometimes they can be quite expensive,” he said. “They’re trying to find cheaper solutions, but they’re not buying from reputable sources… they may not have appropriate British Standard kite marks or CE markings.”
“If they’re not approved by a reputable governing body, then please don’t buy them… because they can have devastating consequences.”
Why these fires are so destructive
Explaining how quickly lithium-ion batteries can ignite, Mr Wilkins said:
“Lithium-ion batteries can go into thermal runaway… they’ll just get hotter and hotter and hotter, potentially explode. If they’re in the vicinity of flammable materials, that causes an ongoing reaction which then causes more fire spread. It can start off very small but very, very quickly escalate.”
How to stay safe
The campaign urges residents not to put any batteries or battery-powered items into household bins.
Instead, they should be taken to battery recycling points at local shops or dedicated battery disposal points at Suffolk’s recycling centres.
If unsure whether an item contains a battery, residents are advised to take it to a recycling centre for staff to check.
“Completely avoidable” fires
Mr Wilkins said simple steps can prevent dangerous and costly incidents.
“Fires caused by batteries in recycling centres are completely avoidable,” he said. “By removing batteries from items before disposal and following the guidance provided, you can help prevent dangerous incidents and keep our communities safe. Please take that extra moment, it really does make a difference.”
Council and waste operators echo warnings
Paul Smith, Suffolk Recycling Contract Manager for FCC Environment, said:
“Hidden batteries start real fires… If not recycled properly, subsequent fires endanger the lives of recycling centre staff, firefighters and local residents.”
Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, Cllr Chris Chambers, said:
“We’ve seen first-hand in Suffolk how incorrectly disposing of batteries can pose a danger to the environment and local communities.”