Aviva is warning that it’s seen a 7% increase in customer claims over the past year for fires started by lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in rechargeable devices like e-bikes, and e-scooters.

The data, which looks at fire claims across 2022 and 2023, includes a significant house fire started by an e-cigarette being charged with an incompatible charger, extensive fire damage to a house after an e-bike with a second-hand battery was left charging unattended in a bedroom, a phone which exploded during charging after getting wet, an annexe which was destroyed by fire after batteries were left charging unattended, and fire in a garage after a faulty charger was used to charge a remote control car. 

This trend in claims is also highlighted in additional research commissioned by the insurer which reveals that one in nine people have suffered a fire or explosion in their home due to a lithium-ion battery or device. Almost one in 10 have experienced scorching of a surface where a lithium-ion battery or device was charging, and two in 10 have a battery or device which has overheated.

Awareness around the risks posed by these batteries is low, says the insurer. 

The research shows 41% don’t know what a lithium-ion battery is, and 42% are unaware of the fire risks associated with charging them. Likewise, 71% don’t know the warning signs of a lithium-ion battery that is about to fail, such as overheating, poor performance, and bulging or leaking batteries.

There is also a lack of awareness of the devices which contain lithium-ion batteries, with just over a third of adults (37%) correctly identifying mobile phones as having them, alongside laptops (33%), tablets (22%) and vapes (22%). Awareness was also low for items like power tools (23%), smart home devices like doorbells (20%) and electric toothbrushes (17%).

An Aviva spokesperson says: “For the majority of people, devices powered by lithium-ion batteries such as mobile phones, laptops, power tools, and e-bikes are safe to use. However, these batteries can present a significant fire risk if the battery fails, is faulty, or is charged incorrectly.

“Likewise, with consumers buying lithium-ion batteries and lithium-powered devices from second-hand retailers or sellers, there is increased potential for batteries to be damaged or faulty on purchase, for the battery in the device to be different to the original, or for the charger supplied with the device to be the incorrect charger.  

“Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries can devastate a property and are more difficult to extinguish.  With this in mind, we urge customers to be aware of the fire risk from lithium-ion batteries and protect themselves and their properties from potentially devastating outcomes.”