The Fire Department in Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently shared a video outlining the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. The video showed an incident in which a dog chewed through a portable cellphone charger, which started a house fire.
In the video, recorded in May, a dog is carrying a portable cellphone charger in its mouth and lying down on a mattress. The dog then starts chewing on the charger. Another dog and cat are seen relaxing in the same room.
As the dog chews on the charger, the lithium-ion battery begins sparking, scaring the dog and the other two pets. The dog scurries off the mattress, and moments later, an explosion can be seen, setting the mattress ablaze.
The dogs can be seen barking at the burning mattress. Fortunately, the pets were all able to escape unharmed through a dog door, said Andy Little, Public Information Officer for the Tulsa Fire Department, in the video.
He noted that the outcome could have been far worse had there been no means of escape or if residents had been asleep on the property at the time of the incident.
However, according to fire officials, the property sustained significant damage. The video went on to elaborate on the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, which should conform to industry standards and should be stored away from children and pets.
Lithium-ion batteries can also emit toxic gas when they explode, further requiring the need to use proper charging instructions, the Fire Department said.
In the video, Little also explained the importance of proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries. These should never be tossed into trash or recycling bins. Instead, they should be taken to designated recycling centers or hazardous household waste collection points.
NTD has contacted Tulsa Fire Department for further information but did not receive a response by publication time.