Although the owners are already preparing them for the winter season, experts do not recommend leaving these vehicles unattended for a long time – recently there have been increasing cases of lithium-ion batteries in electric scooters exploding and causing fires not only during charging. In order to avoid such accidents, it is advised to take care of the technical maintenance of electric scooters and their safe storage.
Explosive and non-rechargeable
As Mantas Norkus, head of the Customer Service Center of “Lietuvos drimadu” observes, there have already been several fires in residential apartments caused by rechargeable scooters in the last six months, which caused a great impact in our country.
“The biggest disaster happened in September of this year in an apartment building in Vilnius, when a scooter battery exploded and the flames spread, as many as 20 apartments were affected. Similar accidents caused by scooters occurred this year in other cities of the country: Kaunas, Palanga, Radvilišky. During these fires, not only residents’ property was damaged, but also people, as well as their pets,” says M. Norkus.
An insurance expert says that many scooter owners tend to think that batteries are safe until they are charged. However, in recent years, there have been an increasing number of cases in various countries where lithium-ion batteries catch fire not during charging, but by themselves.
“Lithium-ion batteries are used as a power source in everything from smartphones and laptops to lawnmowers and electric scooters. The latter’s batteries become especially dangerous when they overheat or start to malfunction. In such cases, they can cause explosive, fast-spreading fires, especially if they start inside a building. It is extremely dangerous that scooter batteries can explode without any warning sign,” says the head of the Lietuvos dramudi Customer Service Center.
Proper preparation for winter is a guarantee of safety
Since the risk of the scooter exploding remains even if it is not used for a while, it is very important to take care of proper storage of these devices during the cold season and not to leave them unattended for a long time.
“Even after the season of using an electric scooter, it is important not to leave this vehicle unattended. Before preparing to store the electric scooter, you should first clean it thoroughly: remove accumulated dirt, dust, salt residues from it. It is also necessary to dry the scooter well, especially its electrical parts and the battery. Moisture can accelerate the appearance of rust and damage the device’s battery,” says M. Norkus.
An insurance expert says the safest thing to do is to store lithium-ion scooters outside, a practice that some of the world’s major cities, such as New York, are using successfully. However, lithium batteries in electric scooters are particularly sensitive to environmental effects and low temperatures, so implementing such a solution in winter in our country would be risky.
“Many Lithuanians tend to store their electric scooters in their apartment storerooms, basements, garages, even balconies of apartment buildings, but it is important to remember that the batteries of these vehicles are very sensitive to cold and moisture. Electric scooters should not be stored in extremely low temperatures or in rooms with very high humidity. Cold and moisture damage scooter batteries and control electronics, and malfunctions can cause a short circuit and the scooter to catch fire,” notes M. Norkus.
According to the expert, scooters should not be stored in direct sunlight or near various home heat sources: radiators, boilers, electrical appliances. It is recommended to choose dry, warm rooms with a stable temperature for their storage.
With a fully discharged battery – do not store
When storing electric scooters, it is important not to forget the fire safety requirements: devices should not block corridors, stairwells, other escape routes of a building or apartment. In addition, they should not be loaded with objects, flammable or other dangerous substances cannot be left nearby.
The expert of “Lietuvos dramidu” also advises to regularly assess the condition of the scooter to ensure safety: “It is not possible to store a scooter with a fully discharged battery. Even if it will not be used for several winter months, regularly check the battery case for damage, swelling or other changes. It is also necessary to maintain the proper charge level of the batteries. It goes without saying that the charger should not be left unattended for too long while charging them.”
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#Electric #scooters #ready #hibernation #important #avoid #fire #Business
**Interview with Mantas Norkus, Head of the Customer Service Center at Lietuvos Draudimas**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mantas. With the winter season approaching, we’ve heard concerning reports about electric scooters and their lithium-ion batteries. Can you summarize the main risks associated with these batteries as we enter the colder months?
**Mantas Norkus:** Thank you for having me. As we prepare for winter, I want to emphasize that lithium-ion batteries in electric scooters can be very volatile. There’s been a troubling increase in fires caused by these batteries, which can happen even when the scooters are not being charged. We’ve seen incidents where batteries exploded spontaneously, leading to severe property damage and, alarmingly, injuries to residents, including pets.
**Editor:** That sounds alarming. Can you tell us more about recent incidents and their impact?
**Mantas Norkus:** Certainly. One of the gravest incidents occurred in September in Vilnius, where a scooter battery exploded in an apartment building, affecting as many as 20 apartments. Similar events have transpired in other cities like Kaunas and Palanga. These occurrences underline the severity of this issue and remind us that even when not in use, these batteries can pose a significant threat.
**Editor:** What precautions should scooter owners take to reduce these risks, especially during winter?
**Mantas Norkus:** First and foremost, scooters should not be left unattended for long periods. Before storing your scooter for the winter, it’s crucial to clean it thoroughly and dry all components, particularly the battery and electrical parts. Moisture can greatly increase the risk of battery malfunction.
As for storage, I recommend avoiding extremely cold areas or places with high humidity, such as basements or storerooms that are not well-insulated. While it’s common for people to store scooters in these places, it’s essential to remember that temperature extremes and moisture can lead to battery failure, which in turn may cause fires.
**Editor:** You mentioned that some larger cities have different practices for storing these devices. Can you elaborate on that?
**Mantas Norkus:** Yes, in some cities like New York, there are designated outdoor spaces for scooter storage to minimize risks. However, that approach might not be suitable for our winters. Here, low temperatures can severely affect battery performance and safety. It’s vital to ensure that any storage solution takes into account our specific environmental conditions.
**Editor:** what is the key takeaway for scooter owners as we approach winter?
**Mantas Norkus:** The most crucial takeaway is that proper maintenance and storage are non-negotiable for safety. Make sure to clean the scooter, properly dry it, and store it in a moderate environment away from direct sunlight and moisture. Awareness of the potential risks of lithium-ion batteries, even when not in use, is essential to prevent accidents.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mantas. It’s vital information for all electric scooter owners.
**Mantas Norkus:** Thank you for having me. Let’s prioritize safety this winter!
