Important information from the fire safety team about charging portable items

Charging lithium battery-powered appliances can be a risk both in the workplace and at home. Across the Trust, and in our homes, we have many of these items which pose a higher risk than many people think. With this in mind, the fire safety team would like to recommend the following points to colleagues:

• Always use the charger that came with your phone, tablet, e-cigarette or mobile device.
• If you need to buy a replacement, always choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust. There are lots of fakes out there, and it can be difficult to spot the difference.
• Always charge on a hard flat surface, away from any combustibles and any sources of oxygen
• Avoid storing, using or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures.
• Protect batteries against being damaged – that's crushed, punctured or immersed in water.
• Don’t leave items continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete – it's best not to leave your phone plugged in overnight for example. 
• Never cover chargers or charging devices – that includes using your laptop power lead in bed.
• Don't overload your sockets 

Click here to view a short video demonstrating the risk of lithium battery-powered appliances.