LOUISIANA REMINDER: Fire Department Reminds Citizens on Danger of Batteries

Fire Departments across the country have seen an uptick in fires involving lithium-ion batteries, and now they want to remind people in Louisiana about the dangers of charging them.

The New York Fire Department has seen a shocking 53% increase in structural fires linked to lithium-ion batteries. The fires are often started when the battery is being recharged.

Now, fire departments around the country want to remind you that it is a great practice to charge bikes and scooters outside and not in your house.

FDNY reminds homeowners that these mobile devices should not be charged in your house because the batteries can explode while charging. With so many more structure fires resulting from batteries exploding or overheating, the FDNY has started a campaign called "Take It Outside."

If you have a bike or scooter at your house that you have to charge, please heed the warnings here, and I encourage you to share this story with others on social media.

This isn't just happening in the northeast. I've spoken to firefighters in Acadiana who tell me they have responded to house fires and, upon investigating the fire, they have found lithium-ion batteries to have caused the blaze.

Here's a great video on the dangers of this type of battery that is found on bikes and scooters.

Here's another video that shows these batteries overcharging and catching fire in homes. Don't let this happen to you or to someone you know.