A tragic incident occurred in Oklahoma, US, when a pet dog’s innocent playtime led to a severe house fire after it chewed on a portable lithium-ion battery. The Tulsa Fire Department (TFD) highlighted this alarming event in a public safety alert, including footage to emphasize the importance of keeping lithium-ion batteries away from pets and children.
The video, taken in May by an indoor camera, showed two dogs and a cat in a living room. One dog chewed on a lithium-ion battery pack until it exploded, causing a fire. Fortunately, the fire department acted quickly to extinguish the blaze. Although the house sustained significant damage, all the pets managed to escape unharmed through a dog door.
Andy Little, the Tulsa Fire Department’s public information officer, stated that the outcome could have been much worse if there had been no means of escape or if the family had been asleep.
NEW: Dog starts a house fire in Tulsa, Oklahoma after chewing through a portable lithium-ion battery.
The Tulsa Fire Department released the following video to warn people about the “dangers of lithium-ion batteries.”
Two dogs and a cat were filmed hanging out before one… pic.twitter.com/skTb8YEzJ6
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 6, 2024
In the video, Officer Little emphasized the importance of understanding the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries. He explained that these batteries are commonly used for charging mobile devices due to their ability to store a significant amount of energy in a compact space.
He added, “Many individuals keep these batteries within their homes for convenience, unaware of the potential dangers they pose.”
Officer Little further urged the public to follow the manufacturer guidelines when using lithium-ion batteries. “It is crucial that you adhere to manufacturer guidelines when using lithium-ion batteries, only using approved chargers and storing them out of reach of children and pets.”
Little added, “Furthermore, it is imperative to dispose off lithium-ion batteries properly. They should never be tossed in household garbage or recycling bins as they can cause fire during transportation or at disposal facilities. Instead take these batteries to designated recycling centres or household hazardous waste collection points.”
The video has garnered more than 15 million views since posted.
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