With temperatures on the rise, homeowners in the South West are being warned not to leave mobile phones or laptops charging in direct sunlight, with concerns over a possible rise in battery-related fires.

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in rechargeable devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toothbrushes, vapes, power tools and smart home devices like doorbells.

While normally safe to use, devices with such batteries can present a significant fire risk if the battery is exposed to extreme temperatures,

According to William McCarter, who works at home insurance broker Lycetts, considerable increases in lithium-ion battery-caused home fire related insurance claims have been experienced over the past year.

William McCarterWilliam McCarter (Image: Lycetts)

Mr McCarter said: "Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries can also prove more difficult to extinguish, starting with a heat reaction before what’s known as thermal runaway, smoke, fire and often an explosion, so it’s vital that homeowners take a few simple precautions to minimise the risk of battery-related fires."

He detailed the dangers associated with excessively high temperatures, specifically in environments above 45⁰C, which can include the internal temperature in vehicles left in the sun.

He advocated for the use of manufacturer-approved chargers, warning against leaving batteries on continuous charge unattended or overnight.

He said: "Avoid overcharging the battery by disconnecting your device when fully charged and unplugging the charger.

"Don’t leave batteries charging continuously unattended, especially overnight or if you are out of the house, and try to avoid charging them on soft surfaces such as beds or other flammable materials where heat can’t dissipate."

Charging devices or batteries in hallways, doorways, or other areas which could potentially block escape routes during a fire incident, is strongly discouraged.

Chargers or battery packs should not be covered while charging to avoid rapid overheating.

Mr McCarter added: "Never charge batteries or devices in high temperatures or direct sunlight, as this can lead to overheating and pose a fire risk.

“Always use the original battery and power cord recommended by the device manufacturer or a compatible replacement which meets UK safety regulations from a trusted supplier.

“Keep an eye on your battery and device for any signs of damage such as overheating, bulging, dents, unusual smells, hissing, leaking or poor device performance, and stop using it immediately if this happens.

“When not in use, keep devices in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and flammable materials. And finally, check your smoke alarms are all still working.”