The Facts
help Keep
Your Community Safe!
Everyone has an important part to play in keeping our homes, families, and communities safe.
Today, batteries power our laptops, smartphones, power tools, e-scooters, remote controls, smoke detectors, many children’s toys, and even your singing greeting cards. Batteries can store an immense amount of energy in a very small space.
But when a battery gets too hot or comes under too much pressure, it can trigger a scientific process called “thermal runaway.” Thermal runaway is a self-sustaining chain reaction where a little bit of pressure or heat starts producing even more heat, leading to a rapid rise in temperature that can trigger deadly fires or explosions.
Longer
burning
Battery fires don’t just burn hotter—they burn longer, too. These fires are extremely difficult for firefighters to put out, and they can quickly reignite without a moment’s notice.
Extreme
heat
When a battery overheats, it can jump from 212°F to 1,800°F in a second—and produce flames as hot as 2,000 °F! (Sources: Clemson University; National Institute of Standards and Technology.)
Toxic
Gas
As lithium battery fires burn, they release toxic gasses like hydrogen fluoride and carbon monoxide. If inhaled, these fumes can lead to trouble breathing, eye and skin irritation, and in some cases, even death.
Risking a battery fire puts the whole community in danger.
1
In The Home
When batteries are thrown into trash or recycling bins, they can overheat or get crushed—leading to fires that are extremely hot and difficult to extinguish. This puts our homes, loved ones, and communities at serious risk of injury, property damage, or even death.
2
On The Truck
When batteries are placed in curbside recycling or trash bins, they can overheat or get crushed inside collection trucks—often while the truck is in motion. This creates a serious fire risk, endangering the lives of sanitation workers and threatening nearby homes, vehicles, and neighborhoods.
3
At The Facility
When batteries end up at waste and recycling facilities, they pose a serious fire hazard to workers and equipment. Facilities across the U.S. report over 5,000 fires each year—many sparked by improperly disposed batteries. These incidents cause millions in damages, disrupt essential services, and put lives at risk. (Source: NWRF)
