Dublin Fire Brigade has issued a security warning after responding to a blaze began by an electrical scooter on the southside of the town.
he e-scooter, which was purchased new and had solely been used as soon as, went on fire when it was being charged for the primary time.
The alarm was raised after a fire began in a constructing related to a home in Terenure, leading to “toxic smoke” filling the property. Fortunately, residents had been alerted by fire alarms and there have been no accidents.
The e-scooter had been imported from China and carried the CE mark, which affirms conformity with European well being, security and environmental safety requirements.
However, regardless of the rising reputation of e-scooters, e-bicycles and hoverboards, it has been warned that charging lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries can create “serious fire risks”.
Dublin Fire Brigade mentioned while the batteries are secure when used correctly, they are often harmful if they’re over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water or broken.
“Lithium-ion batteries produce their own oxygen when burning and a fire will escalate quickly,” they mentioned in a press release.
“Batteries could expertise a ‘thermal runaway’ and, if this happens, this can be very tough to extinguish.
“Domestic firefighting extinguishers is not going to be efficient. Fumes are extraordinarily poisonous and might be deadly if inhaled.
“Charge outdoors, if attainable, and by no means cost within the communal area of an house block as it is a protected fire escape route.
“Use the charger that came with the product and if you need a replacement, source a genuine charger from the manufacturer or retailer.”
Dublin Fire Brigade additionally suggested house owners to not cowl e-scooters, e-bikes or hoverboards with gadgets akin to coats and jumpers or cost the gadgets in a single day.
They urged folks to solely buy e-scooters or e-bikes from respected retailers and to test if the CE markings are real.
In addition, they mentioned product must be returned if the instruction guide is lacking, not in English or accommodates spelling/grammar errors.