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How to Properly Use Lithium-ion Batteries
What is a Lithium-ion Battery?
Every type of battery creates electricity by turning chemical energy into electrical energy. It does this by using chemical reactions to create a flow of electrons from one material to another. We’ll spare you the rest of the science lesson. The important thing to know is that the materials used (lead-acid, alkaline, nickel-cadmium, etc.) all have different charging properties.
Lithium batteries use – you got it – lithium in metal or ion (Li-ion) form as their anode material. And they come with several advantages. Lithium-ion batteries are easily rechargeable and have the highest energy density of any battery technology, meaning they pack more power into a smaller space. They also can deliver a voltage up to three times higher than other battery types. For this reason, you’ll find lithium batteries in almost all modern portable electronic devices.
The list includes smartphones, laptops, tablets, eReaders, smart watches and Bluetooth headphones. Larger lithium battery packs are also used to power things like electric scooters, hoverboards, e-bikes and even electric cars.
How to Store a Lithium-ion Battery
If you’ve flown on an airplane or shipped a package recently, you’ve probably seen warnings related to proper lithium battery storage. That’s because lithium batteries have been known to cause fires when they’re damaged or stored improperly.
To safely store your lithium-ion batteries, follow these tips:
- Avoid temperature extremes. Experts say the ideal temperature for storing lithium batteries is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing a battery in extreme hot or cold temperatures will reduce its lifespan. That includes exposing your battery to direct sunlight.
- Keep them dry. Wet or humid environments can cause lithium batteries to rust or leak. In a worst-case scenario, moisture could even create an electrical short.
- Store them partially charged. For longer-term storage, keep your batteries at about a 40 to 50 percent charge. Storing a fully charged battery can reduce its storage capacity. And when you store a completely dead battery, you risk it dropping to a zero-voltage state. When this happens, the battery may not be able to recharge – rendering it permanently disabled.
- Remove batteries from your device. When storing a battery for long periods of time, remove it from the device, if possible. Even if your device is powered off, there is still a small electrical current running through the battery – which can cause a complete discharge over time.
- Store in a safe place. Never store lithium-ion batteries near flammable or combustible materials.
When bringing your devices inside, make sure you store them in an area that won’t block a means of egress in the event of a fire. For example, storing a regular bicycle near your back door would be fine, but you wouldn’t want to do that with an e-bike. Lastly, make sure that your smoke detectors are functional and will warn you right away if there’s a fire.
How to Charge a Lithium-ion Battery
To get the best performance out of your lithium battery, try to recharge it before it’s completely dead. A good rule of thumb to follow is plugging in your device when the battery reaches 10 to 20 percent of its remaining capacity.
A fully discharged battery adds extra stress to the components, which can reduce its lifespan. So it’s always better to top off your device’s charge throughout the day than to wait for it to die completely.
It’s also worth noting that overcharging can damage lithium batteries, too. While most devices have protective circuits to prevent overcharging, you may still want to consider unplugging your device or battery from the power source after it’s been fully charged. Speaking of charging, only use the charging cable or dock that was provided with your device. Other chargers (while they may claim to charge faster) can damage the battery.
Read moreWhat to Know About Outdoor Patio Heaters
It is a well-known fact that winter can bring about frigidly cold weather conditions, and, you, like so many others, probably do anything and everything you can in order to remain warm during the colder months. A lot of homeowners spend a lot of their time and attention on keeping themselves warm inside their homes. But, what about outside your home? Patio heaters are an option.
Patio heaters are specifically designed to radiate heat outward where people are gathered. For this reason, you won’t need to huddle around it in order to stay warm. Patio heaters have different fuel sources – usually propane, electric or natural gas.
If you are going to be using an outdoor heater, be sure to set it up in an area that is well-ventilated. These areas include patios, terraces, gardens, and outdoor porches or decks.
For safety reasons, do not use a patio heater in enclosed areas i.e. buildings or garages. Also, make sure they are not too close to the ceiling of a covered deck or patio. Using a patio heater in an area that is not well-ventilated leaves you at risk of starting a fire or could also lead to suffocation or poisoning rom carbon monoxide fumes. Experts recommend keeping a clearance of at least three feet around your heater.
How much you pay for your patio heater depends on a few factors. For instance, the size and quality of your heater will impact the cost. The cost of an electric tabletop heater can be as low as $100 while a commercial-style gas heater could cost you $500 or more.
How do you figure out the size of the patio heater that you need? Multiply the size of your space (in cubic feet) by the desired temperature increase.
For example, raising the temperature of a 10-by-10 foot patio by 40 degrees Fahrenheit – assuming an 8 foot heater height – would require a 32,000 BTU heater (10x10x8x40 = 32,000).
When deciding which patio heater to purchase, you’ll choose from three main fuel sources. Each fuel source has it’s upsides and downsides.
Propane patio heaters: These types of patio heaters work similarly to a propane barbecue grill. They are the most portable heater option because the fuel comes from a metal propane tank. The downside to this one is that the heater will shut off as soon as you run out of gas. For reference, for a 40,000 BTU patio heater, a full 5-gallon propane cylinder will last you around 10 hours.
Electric patio heaters: Because these heaters do not run on gas, they do not need to be ventilated because there is no open flame. For this reason, they can be great for areas such as covered decks and porches. Also, because they function like a space heater, they can be permanently mounted below a ceiling. Although electric heaters will only put out about 5,000 BTUs of heat, it is said that they provide a more comfortable experience and feeling of warmth.
Natural gas patio heaters: With a natural gas patio heater, you will never run out of fuel. Because these heaters are hooked directly into your home’s natural gas line, these heaters are the least expensive to operate. They do, however, need to be installed by a professional. A positive is that you won’t need to carry around a propane tank. A con to this version is that they are less portable and you will need to fork up more money initially.
When used properly, patio heaters are a safe way to keep your family safe during the cold winter months. To ensure that your heater is being used properly, pay attention to these tips:
Give it space. Your patio heater will generate a lot of heat. In order to prevent fire hazards, keep your heater a safe distance away from walls, ceilings, furniture, carpet, or any other flammable material. Three feet is the recommended distance.
Find a level spot. You don’t want your heater to tip over, so make sure you place it on a flat surface.
Check for leaks. Apply a soapy water solution to your gas tank in order to check for leaks. The giveaway is if you see bubbles rising from any connection points or if you smell gas. If you suspect a gas leak, have your setup inspected by a professional.
Light it safely. Most heaters have an electric ignitor button while others require you to light it yourself. Make sure you are a safe distance away from the flame. If the burner does not light immediately, turn off the heater and wait about five minutes. This waiting period is meant to prevent gas buildup which could lead to a potential explosion.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Just remember, Class B for gas, Class C for electric, or you can use a multi-purpose extinguisher that works for both.
Watch it carefully. Never leave a patio heater unattended and always make sure that little children and pets are kept a safe distance away. Do not use your heater when weather conditions contain winds of 10 mph or stronger.
Cover it up. Storing your heater properly can help prevent wear and tear and eventual breakdown. Proper storage can prevent your heater from becoming clogged with bugs and debris and can prevent rusting.
Read moreReducing the risk of a fire at your business is one of the most important things you can do to help protect your customers, employees and property. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that more than 116,500 nonresidential building fires occurred in 2021. Those fires caused 1,025 injuries and almost $3.7 billion in damages.
The Unseen Costs
For business owners, these damages can be more costly than physical repairs. It could mean weeks, or even months, of impaired operations while your property is restored. Factors such as loss of productivity, litigation and damage to brand reputation can have far-reaching effects that are difficult to anticipate. When a fire results in injuries, the human cost is incalculable.
So, what steps can you take to help ensure a crisis like this doesn’t happen at your business? Give these four tips a try:
1. Check potential fire hazards.
According to the American Red Cross, there are a number of common hazards in any home or business that are likely to be the source of a fire. Conduct a survey of your business and examine these potential problem areas:
- Make sure machines and equipment are clean and well-maintained.
- Keep any combustible objects away from space heaters or furnaces.
- Properly store flammables in cabinets and away from ignition sources.
- Check appliance cords and replace any broken connectors or cracked insulation.
- Use only one extension cord for each power outlet.
- Allow room behind any appliances to allow air to circulate and prevent overheating.
2. Ensure you have the proper safety equipment.
Every business should have functioning fire extinguishers, but it’s also wise to consider smoke detectors, sprinklers or a fire alarm. Remember, the life expectancy of a smoke detector is only 8-10 years.
Look into a specialized fire suppression system if your business has large operations or machinery that is capable of overheating, commercial cooking equipment or especially flammable materials onsite.
3. Make sure your equipment is up to date.
Did you know that fire extinguishers have a shelf life of 5-15 years – even if there is no expiration date listed? Over time, these devices can lose their pressure, so make sure your extinguisher is working properly by checking the pressure gauge every month. If the needle is in the yellow or red section, it may need to be repaired or replaced.
Be sure to replace your extinguisher if you notice any of these signs:
- The hose or nozzle is cracked, ripped or jammed.
- The locking pin is unsealed or missing.
- The handle is missing or unsteady.
- The inspection sticker or service record is missing.
4. Communicate with your staff.
To ensure the safety of your employees, regularly and reliably communicate your fire safety procedures. This is especially important when a portion of your staff is not regularly on-premises, such as in a hybrid work model where some employees work from home.
- Provide a clear and easily accessible emergency protocol — one that not only accommodates employees with disabilities, but those who may not be in the office on a consistent basis.
- Keep both on-premises and remote employees up to date with the protocol by regularly using electronic and hard-copy questionnaires, quizzes and sign-off acknowledgments.
- Describe evacuation routes with maps that can be referenced physically and digitally embedded in electronic communications.
- Explain how emergency notifications will be delivered, whether it’s through voice communication or a sound like a bell, whistle or horn.
- Make sure your evacuation plans accommodate employees with disabilities, such as someone with hearing loss or who uses a wheelchair.
- Provide training, such as fire drills, to practice your emergency plan and make use of videos wherever possible to keep remote employees up to date for those times they are in the office.
- Remind your employees not to store anything on stairways or along your fire escape routes.
Be Prepared
As a business owner, you expect your insurance to be there when things go wrong. But did you know that Erie Insurance is here to help you identify these risks in the first place?
Read moreHalloween Safety Tips
Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but if you have loved ones—especially little ones—your number one priority is their safety. Fortunately, there are proactive measures you can take to ensure that your kids have a happy and fun–but most importantly safe—Halloween.
On average, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween than any other day of the year.
To make sure that your kids are safety this year, here are a number of steps you can take to keep them safe:
Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costume and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
Join kids who are under the age of 12 for trick-or-treating.
Slow down and stay alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may jump out into the street, giving little to no thought to potential drivers on the road. Turn your headlights on, so that kids will be visible to you as you drive. You should also be making a mental note to expect kids to be close to the roads, so drive with caution.
Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Whenever possible, choose face paint over masks. Masks can limits children’s vision.
Costumes that are bright in color are more easily visible, so if you can, wear bright colors.
Travel in groups.
Once your kids are finished trick-or-treating for the evening, inspect their candy carefully before allowing them to consume those tasty treats. Be on the lookout for anything sharp that could cause injuries and if anything seems weird or suspicious, throw it away. It’s better to not take chances. Use your intuition.
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