Call 911 to report a fire or any emergency situation that might cause danger to life or personal property.
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries found in electric bikes and scooters, cars, laptops, tablets, phones and common household devices.
Lithium-ion battery fires have caused deaths, serious injuries and devastating damage to property around the city. It’s important to follow proper storage, charging, and disposal guidelines for these types of batteries.
You should always purchase and use devices certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL), such as:
- Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL)
- Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc. (ITSNA)
- NSF International (NSF)
- CSA Group Testing and Certification Inc.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for:
- Charging and storage
- Using the correct battery, cord, and power adapter
- Plugging directly into a wall electrical outlet for charging
- Keeping batteries and devices at room temperature
- Storing and/or charging batteries away from anything flammable
- Keeping away from heat sources
- Bringing batteries to an NYC battery recycling center (visit the Battery Recycling page for more information)
Never:
- Use generic batteries or chargers unless it is specifically approved for your product
- Plug into a power strip or overload an outlet
- Overcharge or leave a battery charging overnight
- Charge a battery or device under your pillow, on your bed, or near a couch
- Leave e-bikes or e-scooters unattended while charging
- Block your primary way in or out of a room/space with e-bikes, e-scooters, wheelchairs, etc.
- Place batteries in a trash or recycling bin; it is illegal
Learn more about lithium-ion battery safety.
Learn about battery disposal rules from the Department of Sanitation.
