Halifax firefighters warn of rising lithium battery fires

Firefighters warn that batteries are at the centre of a growing number of fires.

Halifax firefighters are urging residents to think twice before plugging in their phones or e-bikes overnight as lithium-ion batteries take centre stage in this year’s Fire Prevention Week.

District Chief Steven Bussey with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency says the focus this year is on safety around lithium batteries, as fire crews are responding to more incidents involving the devices.

“We’re seeing more calls related to batteries that are being used improperly or charged the wrong way,” Bussey said.

Since January, Halifax fire crews have responded to five calls related to lithium battery fires. Bussey says the frequency is increasing as Halifax grows and more people rely on rechargeable devices.

“When a battery goes, it goes quickly,” he said. “You might see it bulging or leaking first, but once it catches, it spreads very fast and can ignite everything around it.”

Firefighters are urging people to use only CSA-approved or UL-certified batteries, charge them on hard surfaces rather than beds or couches, and avoid leaving them unattended or plugged in overnight.

Bussey says some of the biggest risks come from people charging e-bikes or scooters near exits, which could block escape routes if a fire starts.

“We don’t want to see people charging things like e-bikes near doors or hallways where they’d have to get out,” he said. “That’s a serious danger.”

Despite the warnings, several Halifax residents interviewed admitted breaking the habit of overnight charging may take time.

“It’s just convenient,” said one resident. “You go to bed, wake up, and it’s full.”

Another said they’d be more likely to change their routine if the risk became more visible.

“It’s never happened to me personally, so I just keep doing it,” they said.

Bussey adds that fire prevention doesn’t end with how batteries are charged; it also extends to how they’re discarded.

“If you’re going to recycle a battery, make sure it’s done properly through halifax.ca/recycle,” he said. “That’s just as important as how you charge it.”

Halifax fire crews are marking Fire Prevention Week with school visits and social media campaigns.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page