Charging electric scooters or cell phones in entrances or emergency exits is strictly prohibited.
The Jangheung Fire Station has issued a warning, urging the public to exercise extreme caution regarding fire incidents involving electric scooters, e-bikes, electric motorcycles, and lithium-ion batteries in cell phones.
According to the Jangheung Fire Station on Thursday, the number of personal mobility devices (PMDs) in South Korea is projected to reach approximately 130,000 by 2024. Over the past five years, an average of 125 battery-related fires have occurred annually involving these PMDs.
Data from South Korea’s National Fire Database System corroborates these findings, reporting a total of 627 battery fires during the same period. Electric scooter fires accounted for a staggering 485 incidents, or 77.3% of the total.
Several alarming incidents have been reported, including e-bikes exploding due to overheating during extended charging periods and fires igniting when cell phones were left charging on beds. There have also been cases of e-cigarettes exploding while users slept with the devices plugged in.
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in various devices due to their high energy density and long lifespan. However, they can rapidly overheat, leading to thermal runaway and potential explosions or fires. This can occur due to physical impacts, overcharging, the use of non-certified chargers, or improper storage.
The Jangheung Fire Station has emphasized the importance of following these safety guidelines: use only Korea Certification (KC)-certified products, unplug chargers once charging is complete, avoid charging devices on beds, sofas, in entrances, or near emergency exits, immediately discontinue use if battery components emit strange odors or heat, and dispose of used batteries in designated collection bins.
Jangheung Fire Chief Moon Byeong-woon stated that while lithium-ion batteries offer convenience in our daily lives, improper use can lead to catastrophic accidents. Further emphasizing that every precautionary measure taken by the citizens can help protect lives and property.