Colorado Springs Fire Department warns of Lithium-Ion battery fire concern

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Springs fire officials are warning consumers about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in Christmas gifts after seeing more than a dozen lithium-related fires in the city this year.

The warning comes after an e-scooter caught fire in an apartment last week.

Firefighters said they found the scooter charging on a second-story balcony.

The fire severely damaged the apartment balcony, even charring the brick and flooring.

These lithium-ion batteries are in everything from toys, cars, cell phones, e-scooters, laptops, and much more.

These batteries store a large amount of energy in a small space, and when used improperly or damaged, they can overheat, catch fire, and even explode.

The fire department highly recommends avoiding charging e-bikes or lithium batteries unattended.

“There is no way to truly extinguish these fires; that chemical reaction is going to continue until it exhausts itself or becomes separated from another environment where the battery spread, so the best thing you can do is continue to keep it cool with water," says Brett Lacy, Colorado Springs Fire Marshall.

The fire marshall recommends only using the battery and charger that is designated for a device.

It's also critical to remove the battery once it is fully charged.

If you are charging a lithium battery outside or in a garage, make sure to keep an eye on the temperature. It if is below 32 degrees or above 105 degrees, hold off on charging because batteries are more likely to explode in those conditions.