ORLANDO, Fla. – This holiday season, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis has an urgent warning about lithium-ion batteries. They are in anything from your phone, to a watch, to an electric bike. He said they need to be up to national safety standards.
“Air on the side of caution,” said Jimmy Patronis. “Don’t let a holiday misstep on safety ruin your Christmas.”
He said lithium-ion battery fires have increased this year. Our News 6 investigative team looked at some of those cases earlier this year.
In January, flames consumed a garbage truck in Seminole County, and the News 6 investigative team told you how four people died from a fire at an e-bike repair shop in New York, all caused by lithium-ion batteries. Read more about our past reporting HERE.
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Lawmakers are even looking at filing bills on battery storage rules.
Octavio Hoyos owns Eccentric Cycle in Orlando. He sells and repairs e-bikes at his shop. He agrees with the state fire marshal’s warning to make sure lithium-ion battery products are certified with a safety label like UL, ETL, CSA or SGS.
“We don’t want anything to happen to consumers,” said Hoyos.
Hoyos also recommends when charging your cellphone, which also has lithium-ion batteries, to first plug the cord into your phone, before plugging it into the wall.
Patronis says safety for you and your family this holiday season is worth the investment.
“It may cost a little bit, more but you’re going to have a battery that was tested under rigorous testing and it’s going to be more likely to be safer for long-term and lots of years of enjoyment,” said Patronis.
To read more safety tips from Patronis when buying lithium-ion products, head to the Florida CFO’s website.
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