New York Attorney General Letitia James is urging e-bike riders across the state to check their batteries, use the correct chargers and keep damaged batteries out of service after a fire killed an 11-year-old child in the Bronx.
The Oct. 28 consumer warning followed a fire at Patterson Houses that also injured four people. The attorney general’s office said the lithium-ion batteries used in most e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards store substantial energy and can cause fires when handled improperly.
According to New York City Fire Department figures cited in the warning, the batteries had caused at least 401 fires, 74 injuries and six deaths in the city this year. Those figures describe New York City, while James’ safety advice is directed to users statewide.
The attorney general’s office has made safety information available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Bengali and Haitian Creole. Its English-language flyer explains precautions for buying, maintaining, storing, charging and disposing of the batteries.
Check the battery and charger
James advises buying an e-bike and battery from a trusted manufacturer. The flyer recommends looking for a UL certification logo and avoiding used, unbranded or bargain batteries that are more likely to have problems.
Users should periodically inspect a battery. A strange smell, leaking, or a change in shape or color is a reason to stop using it immediately and contact the local fire station or call 911, according to the attorney general’s guidance.
Charge a battery only with the cord and power adapter provided by its manufacturer. The flyer advises plugging the charger directly into an electrical socket, avoiding power strips and overloaded outlets, and not charging several batteries at once.
It also advises against sharing the outlet with other devices, particularly equipment that draws substantial power, such as an air conditioner. Electrical systems that have not been properly maintained or upgraded increase the risks, the flyer says.
Keep charging areas clear
Do not charge a battery overnight or leave it unattended while charging, the guidance says. Charge during the day where it can be watched, and unplug it before leaving the area.
Keep charging batteries away from beds, sofas and other items that can catch fire. Do not charge near a doorway where a fire could block an exit.
The flyer advises unplugging a battery immediately if it is overheating. A damaged battery should not be charged; users should keep it outside and contact the local fire department about safe disposal, according to the guidance.
Store batteries away from direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators. The flyer recommends room-temperature storage and, if possible, a fire-resistant container when a battery is not being used.
Use a battery collection site
Do not reuse or refurbish used lithium-ion batteries or their parts, James advises. Take an unwanted battery to a battery-recycling location instead of putting it in household trash or curbside recycling, where it can cause fires in trucks or processing facilities.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation’s rechargeable battery guide lists collection resources and advises residents to check municipal disposal options. Its current guidance says e-bike and e-scooter batteries are covered by the state’s rechargeable battery law, with some retailers accepting them voluntarily as additional collection opportunities are developed.
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