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A seemingly innocent playtime for a pet dog took a tragic turn when it inadvertently chewed on a portable lithium-ion battery, igniting a severe house fire in Oklahoma, US. The Tulsa Fire Department (TFD) recently brought this alarming incident to light in a public safety alert, accompanied by footage of the incident to drive home the importance of keeping lithium-ion battery out of reach of pets and children.
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Captured on Camera
The video, captured in May by an indoor camera, showed two dogs and a cat in the living room. One of the dogs is seen chewing on a lithium-ion battery pack until it explodes and the house catches fire. Thanks to the prompt action by the fire department, the blaze was quickly extinguished. While the home suffered significant damage, all pets managed to escape the home unharmed through a dog door.
Fire Department’s Warning
According to Tulsa Fire Department public information officer Andy Little, the situation could have been far more severe if “there had been no means of escape or if the family was asleep at the time.”
Understanding the Risks
Officer Little in the video explained the importance of understanding the risks associated with lithium-ion battery. He noted that these batteries are used for charging mobile devices because they store a “significant amount of energy in a compact space.”
“Many individuals keep these batteries within their homes for convenience, unaware of the potential dangers they pose,” he added.
Safety Guidelines for Lithium-Ion Battery
He further urged the public to follow the manufacturer guidelines when using lithium-ion batteries. “It is crucial that you adhere to manufacturer guidelines when using lithium-ion batteries, only using approved chargers and storing them out of reach of children and pets. Furthermore, it is imperative to dispose of lithium-ion batteries properly. They should never be tossed in household garbage or recycling bins as they can cause fire during transportation or at disposal facilities. Instead, take these batteries to designated recycling centres or household hazardous waste collection points,” Little said in the video.
Public Reactions and Experiences
Meanwhile, another user shared their own experience, writing, “Literally just had to take all the knobs off of my stove because my cat tried to burn my house down two days ago. Like I don’t even know how this guy even turned them.