Cordless Tool Battery Handling
Cordless tools run on lithium-ion batteries packed with energy. Treated well, they last for years. Dropped, overheated, overcharged or punctured, they can burn violently.
- Tradespeople
- Homeowners
- Warehouse Staff
Charging
- Use the charger made for that battery. Mixing brands or cheap knockoff chargers and batteries is a common cause of fires.
- Charge on a hard, non-flammable surface in a dry, ventilated place, away from paper, rags, sawdust and walls.
- Do not charge in a vehicle, a closed box or a pile of materials.
- Do not leave batteries charging overnight or unattended, particularly large chargers or many at once.
- Let a hot battery cool before charging, and a cold battery warm to room temperature.
- Unplug the charger when finished.
Storage and transport
- Store batteries at moderate temperatures, out of direct sun and not in hot trucks or sheds; heat shortens life and raises fire risk
- Keep terminals covered so coins, nails and metal tools cannot short them
- Do not store loose batteries in a tool pouch with metal items
- Use the case or caps provided when transporting
- For shipping or air travel, follow the rules for lithium batteries on the label and with the carrier. Packs above a certain watt-hour rating have limits
- Lock batteries away to protect them from theft. See Tool Theft Prevention
Damaged batteries
Stop using a battery that is swollen, cracked, leaking, hot, smells sweet or burnt, or has been dropped or crushed. Place it in a metal container with sand or kitty litter outdoors or away from combustibles, and take it to a recycler. Do not charge it. See Lithium Battery Fires.
Fire response
- A battery in thermal runaway can burn hot, spit sparks and reignite. Leave the area, call 911 and warn others. Smoke is toxic.
- If a small battery is burning in a tool and it is safe to act, use plenty of water or a suitable extinguisher from a distance. For packs that keep burning, evacuate.
Disposal
Never put lithium batteries in trash or regular recycling; they cause fires in trucks and plants. Use a battery recycling program at retail stores or hazardous waste sites. Tape terminals first. See Battery Safety.
Standards & references
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