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A family in Ellenbrook, Western Australia, escaped a house fire after a lithium-ion battery was left charging in their garage, PerthNow reports. The fire destroyed the home and Tracey Howard’s home salon. The report does not identify the battery or device, name its charger, or cite an official investigation, so it does not establish what caused the fire or whether a product fault was involved.
The incident is a reminder to charge and store lithium-ion batteries carefully—not proof that normal charging inevitably causes fires. DFES and the ACCC identify several possible failure pathways and offer practical precautions for homes, garages, and workshops.
What happened in the Ellenbrook fire?
PerthNow reports that Tracey Howard and Levi Cole-Lau woke to a house fire after a lithium-ion battery had been left charging in their garage. The family escaped, but the fire destroyed their home and Howard’s home salon. Howard described the battery as being charged for the first time: “First time, first day, put it on charge for the first time and it changed our lives,” she said in the report.
That is the family’s account as reported by PerthNow, not a published fire-investigation finding. The report does not identify the device or battery make and model, the charger, or a specific failure mechanism. It therefore cannot show whether the cause was a battery defect, charger incompatibility, damage, heat, or another factor. The family’s concern that a fire could happen even with a high-quality product should likewise be understood as their concern, not proof of a defect or a finding about product quality.
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- Risk reduction: Fireproof doesn't mean it can be endlessly exposed to fire and resist spontaneous battery combustion, we designed this product originally to reduce the risk of fire and stop the spread of fire, it is recommended that our products are stored in an open area with no flammable materials around to ensure maximum safety.
- Fire prevention: Coated special fabric | For covering or wrapping batteries or battery-powered devices | Retains heat, flames and smoke | Caution in case of fire - gases are toxic.
- Protection: The fireproof cover delays the spread of heat and fire in the event of a fire | It immediately reduces smoke development | Battery fires are limited and conventional fires are smothered by oxygen deprivation.
- Compact and light: The fireproof blanket is easy to handle and can be stored easily. This makes it ideal for use at home, in the office or when travelling to enable a quick response to potential fire hazards.
- Do you know the potential dangers of lipo batteries? Once the battery is shorted, it will instantly generate high temperature and spontaneously ignite, which brings danger to you and your family.We designed this cover to minimize that risk, even though it can't withstand the heat and flames naturally generated by batteries for long time. But it will at least give you time to react to a spontaneous battery combustion.
Can a new lithium-ion battery catch fire while charging?
A battery can fail during charging, but “new” does not establish either that a battery is safe or that it is defective. DFES lists multiple potential causes of lithium-ion battery fires, including charging equipment, heat, impact, faults in a cell or battery system, and manufacturing defects. ACCC guidance also identifies risks from incorrect manufacture, handling, storage, and disposal. None of those possibilities is established as the cause of the Ellenbrook fire.
The figures published by Australian authorities describe different things and should not be conflated. DFES in Western Australia currently reports more than three lithium-ion battery-related incidents per week; its accessible page does not specify the measurement period. DFES also says over a third of such fires are not charging-related. That is a statement about the fires in its context, not an estimate of an individual household’s risk. Separately, the ACCC’s 2026 guide says product safety reports about lithium-ion batteries and products containing them increased almost 600% between 2020 and 2025. These are reports received, not a count of fires or proof that fires increased by the same amount. The ACCC’s 2023 figures—231 product safety reports over five years and 23 supplier-initiated recalls affecting an estimated 89,000 products since 2017—have different periods and scope, so they should not be directly compared with DFES incident responses.
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- Battery Fire Risk Control: the fireproof lithium battery cover is designed to help contain and slow the spread of lithium battery fires during charging or storage; Provides a protective layer to reduce flame exposure and limit smoke expansion in early-stage incidents
- High Temperature Resistant Material: the fire protection blanket is made from durable fiberglass fabric with strong heat resistance; Helps withstand extreme temperatures generated during battery overheating and supports safer handling in emergency situations
- Ideal Size for Daily Protection: the size of this lightweight fire protection blanket is about 59 x 59 inches/ 1.5 x 1.5 m, which provides practical coverage for e-bikes, scooters and battery packs during charging or storage; Suitable for garages, apartments and workshops without taking up extra space
- Easy to Use and Store: lightweight and foldable design allows quick deployment; Simply cover the battery or device when needed; Compact size makes this ebike battery cover convenient for daily storage or travel use
- Wide Application Scenarios: ideal for battery charging protection in garages, outdoor cycling, delivery services, and home storage; Suitable for lithium batteries of e-bikes, e-scooters, and small electric devices
How to charge lithium-ion batteries more safely
- Use the right charger. Use the charger supplied with the device or one the manufacturer confirms is compatible with that battery’s specifications. A plug that fits is not enough: the ACCC says compatibility means the charger is designed to work with the battery. DFES also advises checking that chargers carry the Australian Regulatory Compliance Mark.
- Stay nearby and disconnect when charged. DFES advises against unattended or overnight charging. Monitor charging and disconnect the device once the battery is full, as DFES and the ACCC recommend.
- Choose a clear, non-flammable surface. The ACCC recommends a surface such as concrete, ceramic, or steel. DFES warns against charging on combustible or insulating surfaces such as beds, couches, and carpet. Keep nearby combustibles clear.
- Let a used battery cool. The ACCC advises allowing the battery to cool after use before recharging it.
- Choose the location with both the battery and escape route in mind. DFES says larger batteries and equipment should be charged outside or in a garage, shed, or carport, away from living spaces. If charging indoors, use an open area away from exits and sleeping areas, and charge only when people are home. A garage is not automatically safe: keep the charging area clear and consider detection there.
How to check and store batteries
Stop using a battery, device, or charger if it is swollen or bulging, dented, crushed, leaking, unusually hot, venting gas, or otherwise mechanically damaged. DFES and the ACCC both identify these as warning signs; do not charge or keep using a suspect item.
Store batteries in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Do not leave them in a parked vehicle, modify a battery, or use one in a product it was not designed for. Because DFES says over a third of lithium-ion battery fires are not charging-related, checking batteries in storage matters too.
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- Fire prevention: Coated special fabric | For covering or wrapping batteries or battery-powered devices | Retains heat, flames and smoke | Caution in case of fire - gases are toxic.
- Risk reduction: Fireproof doesn't mean it can be endlessly exposed to fire and resist spontaneous battery combustion, we designed this product originally to reduce the risk of fire and stop the spread of fire, it is recommended that our products are stored in an open area with no flammable materials around to ensure maximum safety.
- Protection: The fireproof cover delays the spread of heat and fire in the event of a fire | It immediately reduces smoke development | Battery fires are limited and conventional fires are smothered by oxygen deprivation.
- Compact and light: The fireproof blanket is easy to handle and can be stored easily. This makes it ideal for use at home, in the office or when travelling to enable a quick response to potential fire hazards.
- Do you know the potential dangers of lipo batteries? Once the battery is shorted, it will instantly generate high temperature and spontaneously ignite, which brings danger to you and your family.We designed this cover to minimize that risk, even though it can't withstand the heat and flames naturally generated by batteries for long time. But it will at least give you time to react to a spontaneous battery combustion.
What to do if a lithium-ion battery smokes or burns
If a lithium-ion battery is smoking or burning, call Triple Zero (000) and evacuate to a safe place, following ACCC guidance. Do not try to extinguish the battery fire with a household fire extinguisher. The ACCC warns these fires can be difficult to put out and may reignite; depending on battery size, a fire can burn for days.
Smoke and thermal detection in charging areas
DFES recommends a smoke alarm or thermal detector in areas where devices are commonly charged, especially garages. Detection does not prevent a battery from failing or control a fire, but it can provide warning. DFES recommends having a licensed electrician install and interconnect mains-powered alarms where possible; check compatibility with the alarm’s manufacturer or distributor.
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- Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Fire Suppression Gel – Made with 100% biodegradable, non-corrosive, and non-toxic ingredients, ensuring safe use in homes, offices, garages, and vehicles.
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Dispose of damaged or unwanted batteries safely
Do not put lithium-ion batteries or products containing them in household rubbish, recycling bins, or hard-waste collections. The ACCC warns they can cause fires in waste systems. Use approved disposal options such as Recycle Mate or B-cycle, and follow the instructions for the specific battery or product.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- STOPS LITHIUM-ION BATTERY FIRES FAST: Specially designed to quickly suppress fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in phones, laptops, power banks, power tools, and other electronics, our fire extinguisher provides reliable protection in critical moments.
- PREVENTS RE-IGNITION: The fast-acting cooling gel technology of this extinguisher rapidly absorbs heat, cuts off oxygen at the source, and lowers combustion temperature to stop thermal runaway and prevent flare-ups.
- Class A & C FIRE PROTECTION: Effective for putting out Class A (wood, paper, cloth) and Class C (live electrical equipment) fires, the eco-conscious formulation of our lithium battery fire extinguisher gel is safe for people, pets, and electronics.
- EASY TO USE: The aerosol can has no pins or levers and requires no training to use—simply point and spray. Made in the USA with high-quality materials, this single-use extinguisher is designed for quick response to small fires.
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