Lithium-ion batteries: shop, charge, and recycle safely

When buying and using lithium-ion battery-powered products, safety should come first.

An electric bike with a lithium-ion battery attached to the back.

Be lithium-ion battery safe

In NSW, lithium-ion batteries have become a leading fire hazard, posing serious risks in homes, workplaces, and waste facilities.

NSW Fair Trading, Fire and Rescue NSW, SafeWork NSW, and the NSW Environment Protection Authority are working together to ensure consumer safety and combat unsafe practices.

By taking simple steps at each stage of a battery’s life cycle—shopping, using, charging, and recycling— you can protect yourself, your loved ones, your workers and your community.

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Lithium-ion batteries: shop, charge and recycle safely

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Video transcript

Lithium-ion batteries: shop, charge and recycle safely

00:00:00:00 - 00:00:31:03

Not sure about the quality, but it was so cheap. 

It works fine if you just jiggle it a little bit. 

I always leave it on charge so it's ready to use. 

It's only a few small batteries, what's the harm? 

Lithium-ion batteries are the fastest growing fire risk in New South Wales. They can explode, releasing toxic, flammable gases that ignite quickly and make fires hard to extinguish.

00:00:31:05 - 00:01:00:00

Always buy lithium-ion products from a trusted source. 

Don't overcharge, modify or take risks with faulty cables and always dispose of old batteries at your local recycling point. 

When it comes to lithium-ion safety, there's no room for excuses. Lithium-ion batteries: shop, charge and recycle safely.

 

Working together to keep you safe

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Man in helmet installing a battery on a e-bike.

Shop safe: lithium-ion battery standards

Use advice from NSW Fair Trading to safeguard yourself and your loved ones by purchasing batteries and suitable chargers from reliable manufacturers.

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A woman plugging a power cable into a laptop.

Charge safe: at work

Follow guidance from SafeWork NSW on the proper charging and storage of lithium-ion battery-powered devices to prevent fire hazards at work.

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A person holding a battery charging device.

Charge safe: at home

Use information from Fire and Rescue NSW to prevent fires in the home by identifying the warning signs of faulty lithium-ion batteries, including unusual smells, sounds or smoke. 

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Discarded lithium-ion batteries placed in a bin.

Recycle safe: correctly dispose of your batteries

Follow guidance from the NSW Environment Protection Authority to keep our environment safe and reduce fire risks by safely disposing of loose or embedded batteries.

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