Why phone and laptop batteries explode - and 6 ways to protect yourself

"Stop what you're doing and think about all the things in your life right now that contain a rechargeable battery -- the laptops, smartphones, tablets, power banks, smart doorbells, and surveillance cameras. And don't forget to count your wearables: smartwatches, earbuds, and smart rings all contain rechargeable batteries. Then there are the batteries that we put to our mouths and suck on -- the ones inside e-cigarettes and vapes. Also: I tested a solid-state portable battery for a week - now lithium-ion feels outdated And don't forget that portable power station you have in the garage. That thing is literally a box filled with rechargeable batteries."

"I'm betting that you have quite a few. Right now, I have about a half a dozen within arm's reach, and a lot more that live at my home, the office, or the car. And I've probably forgotten about that old smartphone in the back of a drawer, or the old -- possibly recalled -- power bank in my backpack. For the most part, rechargeable battery-powered devices are incredibly well-behaved."

"It's a good thing, really, because most of us are happy to go to sleep with a charging smartphone not far from our head each night, and cram ourselves onto an aircraft and spend many hours at 40,000 feet surrounded by hundreds of different devices -- all of varying quality and state of repair -- containing a rechargeable battery. Also: The best power banks of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed But things can -- and do -- go wrong."

Rechargeable batteries power a wide range of everyday devices including laptops, smartphones, tablets, power banks, smart doorbells, surveillance cameras, wearables, e-cigarettes, and portable power stations. Many households and travelers carry numerous battery-powered gadgets, and some older or recalled batteries may be forgotten in drawers or backpacks. Most rechargeable battery-powered devices operate safely and reliably, but batteries are linked to roughly 1,500 house fires and about 5,000 overheating incidents each year. Using damaged or overheating devices increases fire and thermal risk. Avoiding visibly damaged or hot gadgets reduces the chance of battery-related incidents.

Read at ZDNET