Plus, e-bikes are blowing up … a lot. Own one? I talked with FDNY’s Chief of Department John J. Hodgens about staying safe. I’ll also share how a couple travels for free, how AI is replacing extras in movies, and a fast way to get out of a locked car trunk.
Bursting into flames: Protect yourself from lithium-ion battery hazards
Powering my cellphone? A lithium-ion battery. E-bike? Lithium-ion. Same goes for my iPad, MacBook, electric toothbrush, portable battery pack. I could go on.
The same goes for your tech. As it starts to warm up, we need to talk about safety. Fires from our little gadgets can get out of control quickly.
Here’s the know-how to protect yourself from a major battery blow-up. And, yes, it’s the reason I’m very particular about where I keep my e-bike.
Hot battery horror stories
Lithium-ion batteries squeeze a ton of battery life into a tiny package. But they’re made with flammable materials, making them even more dangerous when misused or improperly stored.
Larger tech, like e-bikes and EVs, use much bigger batteries than a smartphone. So when a fire happens, yup, it’s way more dangerous.
Flammable materials inside the batteries can experience “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction that essentially puts a battery in an uncontrollable, self-heating state. That’s when explosions happen.
Thermal runaway gets triggered by a number of things, like a battery being overheated or punctured. It can also be caused by an electrical fault, like a short circuit or manufacturing defects. That’s why I always warn you to stay away from cheap tech!
Battery safety 101 for laptops
- Don’t leave your laptop in a hot car, by a sunny window or near a portable heater.
- If it feels hot, shut it down and give it a break. Pop out the battery if you can.
- Consider using an app to monitor your laptop’s temperature in real time. CoreTemp and Real Temp for Windows are good options. Anything higher than 176 degrees Fahrenheit is bad news.
Have an old phone or other device with a lithium battery? Don’t just toss it in a drawer. It’s worth buying a fireproof bag to store it.
Battery safety 101 for e-bikes
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
If you won’t be using your e-bike for a while, how much charge should you leave on the battery? Is it 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%?
293% increase
In e-bike injuries between 2019 and 2022. Scooter injuries were up 88% in that time, too. FYI, injuries from e-bikes are much more likely to lead to a hospital visit than other “micro-mobility” devices like scooters and standard bikes. Just make sure your helmet is MIPS-rated to keep your noggin safe.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Cancer patients' naked photos leaked, TikToker steals widow's ashes, and Florida wants blogger's government registration
Plus, you won’t believe which jobs are on the brink of extinction due to AI – teachers, brace yourselves! Get the latest scoop on the government’s TikTok ban, exploding e-bikes, and the top tax scams spreading like wildfire. Plus, I’ll spill the beans on the ultimate day to send your email newsletter for maximum impact!