Surrey Fire and Rescue Service had attended 55 such incidents in the year to September. That’s compared to last year when 53 were dealt with across the whole 12 months.
Firefighters say the use of lithium-Ion batteries in everyday household items could be behind the rise. These types of batteries power electronics from smartphones and laptops to e-bikes and electric vehicles. But they also pose a serious fire risk if damaged, mishandled, or charged incorrectly.
There is also risk of old batteries spontaneously combusting without warning.
People are being urged not to overcharge them, inspect them for damage and store them safely, for instance, away from heat.
