The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace, designates each May as National Electrical Safety Month. Its 2024 campaign features new and updated resources to encourage electrical safety awareness for families, businesses, and organizations.

This year’s campaign highlights how to purchase, use, and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely.

Lithium-Ion Batteries Arre Part of Everyday Life

Lithium-ion batteries power the devices we rely on every day. These batteries can be found in cell phones, tablets, laptops, electric scooters and bikes, toothbrushes, and backup batteries. When purchased and used correctly, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries can provide a valuable service, but there is a risk of fire and injury if uncertified batteries or chargers are used. 

Be Safe. Stay Informed

In normal applications, the Li-ion batteries are safe, but if damaged or overheated, they can cause fires, as was dramatically demonstrated in a couple of recent home fires in the Denver area caused by malfunction electric vehicle charging points. Less dramatic but often just as devastating are injuries and fires caused by small electronics like cell phones.

To keep your family and property safe from battery mishaps, follow these safe use tips:

• Only use manufacturer-provided or authorized batteries and charging equipment. All equipment should be certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory
• Remove the battery or charging device from power once charging is complete to avoid overheating
• Keep batteries and charge them at room temperature. Issues can occur below 32° F or above 105° F
• Keep batteries and devices from heat sources or anything that can catch fire
• Do not store batteries in vehicles or direct sunlight
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and inspect the device and any cables for damage. Your installation should have proper GFCI/AFCI protection and never tamper with or try to modify either the charging point or your device’s charging port.
• Never use non-approved adapters. Those adapters can bypass safety features in manufacturer-approved chargers. They can also cause shocks, fires, and even damage your device’s battery.
• All maintenance on batteries or e-mobility devices should be completed by a qualified professional
• When installing an electric vehicle charging point, be sure the work is done by a licensed professional electrician. Even low-voltage connections for vehicles and e-bikes can cause damage if not properly installed
• Discontinue using devices or batteries that have an unusual odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, are leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge. 

Electrical Safey is a Year-Round Concern

From cell phones to holiday lighting, we rely on the convenience of electricity to make our lives more comfortable and enjoyable. And as we add more electric appliances and devices to our homes and businesses, safe operation and maintenance of them becomes more important. Know your devices and their proper operation.

Be Safe. Call a Pro

Today’s homes and businesses are highly reliant on electricity to power them and their contents. The pros at Allstar Electrical Services want to remind you that charging stations and other energy-saving devices are only beneficial if they are integrated safely and efficiently into your home or business electrical system. We’ve designed, installed, and maintained charging stations and many other safe and efficient electrical systems that incorporate the latest technology in homes and businesses along Colorado’s Front Range for over 20 years.

For more ways to save on your energy costs, see this article on the Allstar Electrical Services website. And for more information on the many ways Allstar Electrical Services can help you reach Energy Resilience, call 303.399.7420 or visit our website.