Charging your e-scooter or e-bike
The majority of fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters have occured in homes while charging. Follow our safety advice to protect your families and reduce the risk of a fire in your home.
Charging safely
- Never leave it charging unattended and never charge while you are asleep
- Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging
- Always use the correct charger for your batteries and buy any replacements from a reputable retailer
- Store and charge them somewhere not blocking the main through route or exit
- Make sure you and your family have an escape plan in the event of a fire
- Ensure you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home
- Do not attempt to modify or tamper with the battery and take extra care if using a conversion kit
Avoid overheating
- Batteries can get warm during use. Allow them to cool before re-charging
- Batteries should be charged on hard flat surfaces where heat can dissipate
- Batteries can pose a fire risk if they have been damaged, so check it regulary and don’t use if there is any visable sign of damage
- Batteries should also never be exposed to extremes of temperature
The legal bit…
Did you know that privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use in a public place? It’s only legal to use an e-scooter on private land with the permission of the land owner.
E-scooters are also banned on all Transport for London (TfL) transport networks in London due to the fire risk.
Also, if you’re using an e-scooter in public in an antisocial manner, your e-scooter can be seized by the Police under section 59 of the Police Reform Act.
In the event of a fire
In the event of an e-bike, e-scooter or lithium-ion battery fire, do not attempt to put it out
Get out, stay out and call 999
For more information visit the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Charge Safely page