Christmas gift warning as firefighters battle daily lithium-ion battery fires across Australia

Firefighters have warned Aussies to be vigilant when using products containing lithium-ion batteries, as the number of blazes sparked by the devices continues to rise.

The message comes as items containing the popular rechargeable batteries, such as consumer electronics, tools, toys and e-scooters, are likely to have been handed out extensively over the Christmas period.

This year, emergency services across the country responded to fires caused by lithium-ion batteries daily as authorities voice concerns about the growing issue.

In New South Wales, Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan last month announced a inquest into deaths and serious injuries across the state which is believed to have suffered Australia’s first lithium-ion fire-related deaths in February.

Another death in South Australia possibly resulted from a mobility device on charge however the cause was found to be undetermined following an investigation.

Queensland Fire Department Superintendent Mark Halverson says battery fires are a “rising problem” for firefighters in every state and territory.

“If it’s rechargeable it’s almost certainly powered by a lithium-ion powered battery,” he said.

In recent years lithium-ion batteries have grown to become near-ubiquitous due to their affordable price point, high energy capacity, and long lifespan.

Superintendent Halverson says it’s important for parents to have a conversation with their children about the dangers and safe use of rechargeable goods this Christmas.

“It should be said that with a quality product from a reputable retailer and used correctly the incidence of fire is actually very low,” he said.

“Many of the fires are caused by people undertaking unsafe practices that they may be unaware of.”

Fire and Rescue crews suspect Lithium-Ion batteries were the cause of a garbage truck fire.

He said common causes of fires include damage to the battery pack, using aftermarket chargers and homemade modifications to devices.

“Never mix and match or share your charges — just because a charger will fix to the device, doesn’t mean it should,” he said.

Warning signs, he said, include heat, crackling noises or a foul odour.

Earlier this year, the New South Wales government announced a crackdown on lithium-ion battery powered products, warning poor quality Christmas gifts could pose a fire risk.

From February 2025, retailers, manufacturers and suppliers will face fines of up to $825,000 for not complying with new testing and certification standards.

Superintendent Halverson recommends only using chargers supplied with a product, maintaining oversight of devices while charging and charging large devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters outside if possible.

He said QFD was seeing a “regular occurrence” of fires sparked by e-scooters being charged overnight, indoors and near compostable materials.

In both Victoria and New South Wales firefighters are responding to suspected battery fires on a near-daily basis.

There were 28 reported incidents of injuries suffered as a result of lithium-ion battery fires in NSW in 2024.

Batteries were the cause of about 100 fires in Queensland over the second half of 2024, with the state seeing the number of fires double in a two-year period.

In South Australia, authorities have seen incidents of fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries increase almost five-fold since the 2019/2020 financial year to 43 for the year ending in June.

Over the same period Western Australia has seen the number of fires jump three times to 142 — about a third of which were rubbish fires caused by inappropriate disposal.

Products containing lithium-ion batteries should not be thrown out in household waste, authorities urge, with every state and territory offering recycling drop off points.