As the year-end cleaning season approaches, the Tokyo Fire Department is calling for attention to properly dispose of products and spray cans containing lithium-ion batteries, which have been ignited one after another.
According to the Tokyo Fire Department, lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones and other devices use flammable organic solvents and may ignite if subjected to a strong impact.
From the beginning of this year to the 5th of this month, 116 fires related to lithium-ion batteries occurred in Tokyo, impacting laptops with tools to dispose of them, disassembling smartphones and replacing batteries. It means that there was a case where a fire broke out when doing so.
Garbage truck fires caused by lithium-ion batteries that have been thrown away with regular garbage have also been reported.
In addition, there have been a series of cases where fires occurred when the cans were pierced or degassed indoors to dispose of used spray cans.
Some people have been injured in the fire, so the Tokyo Fire Department is following the rules of each local government, such as having them collected at home appliance mass retailers and home centers, regarding the disposal of products containing lithium-ion batteries. advises caution to be taken outdoors.