Educational Resources
Hazmat
Our office seeks to provide up-to-date, accurate and supportive safety education for hazardous materials
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
Official Safety Standards & Operational Guidelines
In the Event of a Fire: Evacuate the Room • Close the Door • Call 911 Immediately
Before You Buy & Use
- Certified Equipment: Only purchase devices and batteries listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Look for these marks on the packaging.
- Manufacturer Guidelines: Instructions are outlined to mitigate unsafe conditions and extend battery life. Using unapproved equipment can void warranties and shift liability to the operator.
- No Alterations: Never attempt to alter batteries, chargers, or charging rates yourself. Authentic factory replacements are essential; generic modifications can interfere with the Battery Management System (BMS).
Stop Use Immediately If:
- Physical Damage: You notice signs of wetness, bulging, dents, or punctures in the battery container.
- Unusual Indicators: You detect an unusual odor, change in color, odd noises (hissing/cracking), or if the device feels excessively hot to the touch.
- Action Required: If safe to do so, move the device away from anything combustible and contact the Fire Department. Do not attempt to move a device that is already smoking or sparking.
Charging Procedures
- Direct Connection: Plug chargers directly into wall outlets. Extension cords and power strips should only be used temporarily and under strict adherence to manufacturer limits to prevent undersized wiring from overheating.
- Surface Safety: Always charge on hard, stable surfaces. Never charge on cloth-type materials like beds, couches, or pillows, which can trap heat and lead to thermal runaway.
- Supervision: Schedule charging cycles for times when you are awake and at home. Unplug chargers once the indicators show a complete charge to ensure power is not continually applied.
Storage & Climate
- Moderate Temperatures: Batteries hold a charge best and operate safest between 40°F and 104°F (4°C and 40°C). Never leave them in hot cars or in direct sunlight.
- Clear Egress: Store e-bikes and scooters away from exit doors, windows, and stairways. Keep these routes clear so you can escape and emergency personnel can enter in an emergency.
- Safe Environment: Store in orderly environments away from small children, pets, and flammable vapors.
Li-ion Batteries are Everywhere
These standards apply to all common household and industrial devices, including:
- Cell Phones & Laptops
- E-Bikes & Scooters
- Vapes & E-Cigarettes
- Power Tools
- Drones & RC Vehicles
- Smart Watches
- Smoke & CO Alarms
- Digital Cameras
Disposal & Resources
Disposal: Do not discard these batteries in the trash. Find a Certified Recycling Location Near You.
Public Brief: Safe Battery Disposal & Recycling (October 2026)
IT IS ILLEGAL TO THROW AWAY REGULATED BATTERIES.
Under federal regulations (EPA 40 CFR Part 273) and state laws, discarding regulated batteries in household trash or abandoning them in the environment is prohibited. Safe disposal requires using designated channels.
Know Your Batteries: Regulated vs. Unregulated
- Unregulated (Standard Alkaline): Everyday AA, AAA, C, and D batteries do not contain hazardous heavy metals. In some states, they can be safely disposed of in regular household trash, though recycling is environmentally preferred.
- Regulated (Rechargeables, Lithium & Lead-Acid): Lithium-ion (phones, laptops, power tools), lead-acid (vehicles), and button/coin cells contain hazardous materials and pose severe fire risks.
How to Find Regulated Battery Drop-Offs
- Manufacturer Operation Manuals: Check operating instruction manuals that came with the appliance to see if recycling procedures and resources are listed.
- Retail Take-Back: Return old batteries to retailers and appliance dealers that offer direct take-back programs for the products they sell.
- Online Directories: Search for drop-off locations using websites like The Battery Network, or Earth911.com to find certified drop-off locations near you. These sites define the type of batteries accepted. Or search the Internet for listed commercial recycling contractors using key words like “battery recycling, or battery recycling contractors”. Contacting listed vendors using either method is highly recommended. There may be undefined associated costs. In some cases the listing may even be obsolete.
- Local Agencies: Contact your municipal community agencies through phone or website for defined drop-off locations and local household hazardous waste guidelines.
High-Energy & High-Output Batteries
Electric vehicle (EV) batteries, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) packs, and similar sized high-output units are not accepted at consumer drop-offs. These are handled exclusively through specialized third-party contractors. The manufacturer or representing distributor will need to be contacted for assistance.
Damaged, Defective, or Recalled (DDR) Batteries
Never place damaged batteries in household trash, recycling bins, or standard retail drop-offs. Handling depends entirely on the current state of the battery:
- 1. Active Failure (Hot, Swollen, Hissing, Venting, or Smoking): These are signs of imminent thermal runaway and explosion. Do NOT handle or package the battery. Evacuate the area immediately. Call 911 or your local fire department. Do not call a waste handler or manufacturer for a battery in active failure.
- 2. Stable but Damaged (Dented, Recalled, or Previously Wet — but cold and quiet): Isolate: Place in a non-combustible container (such as a metal bucket) away from flammable materials. Seek Authorized Handling: Do not attempt to transport it yourself. Cont your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) agency or the fire department’s non-emergency line for safe extraction and transport instructions.
NFPA
The NFPA provides educational media, including social media cards, videos and instructions for teaching the public about safe battery use.
Follow this link for more information:
or click below:
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