Fire Safety for E-Scooters, E-Bikes and Hoverboards

E-Scooters, e-bicycles and hoverboards are becoming a regular sight on Dublin's streets. They are a fantastic technology. However, they also come with their own fire safety risks.

Here are Dublin Fire Brigade's tips for avoiding a catastrophic fire. (For road safety tips, visit the RSA's website instead.)

What to Know When Choosing a Model

When buying an e-bike, e-scooter or hoverboard, it is important to go to a reputable retailer. 

If you decide to buy one online from an auction site or unfamiliar company, you could be compromising your consumer rights and warranty. Even worse, you could be risking your safety as the product may not reach expected safety standards.

When choosing and e-scooter, e-bicycle or hoverboard, you should:

• Make sure it has a genuine CE mark - you'll find information on identifying genuine CE marks on the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission's website.
• Check the packaging for traceable information, such as the name and contact details of manufacturer.
• Return the product if the instruction manual is missing, not in English or has spelling/grammar mistakes.
• Have second-hand devices checked by a reputable technician as you will not know its history.

Charging and Battery Safety

Lithium-ion batteries, also called li-ion batteries or LIBs, are the lightweight batteries that power e-scooters, e-bicycles and hoverboards. They are safe when used properly, but present a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water or damaged.

If you own an e-bike or e-scooter, you should:

• Use the charger that came with your product and, if it needs to be replaced, source a genuine charger from the same manufacturer or retailer.
• Charge your battery outside, if possible. NEVER charge your e-bike or e-scooter in the communal space of an apartment block - this a protected fire escape route.
• If you must charge your battery inside, choose a location that will allow you to escape from all the rooms in your home in the case of a fire. For example, do not charge your e-bike or e-scooter in the hallway as this may prevent your exit.
• Plan your fire escape routes in advance.
• Only charge the battery for as long as it takes to reach a full charge. Do not charge it overnight.
• Unplug the charger if you are leaving your home, even if it's just for a few minutes.
• Never cover e-scooters, e-bicycle or hoverboards with insulators, such as coats or jumpers. The battery will heat up during use and during charging and this heat needs to dissipate.
• If you notice your e-scooter, e-bicycle or hoverboard behaving erratically, this could be a sign that the battery is damaged and needs to be replaced.

What to do if your E-Scooter or E-Bike is on Fire

If you notice a burning smell, hear pops or hissing sounds, see smoke, gas release or flames, you need to evacuate immediately. Fumes are extremely toxic and can be fatal if inhaled.

Lithium-ion batteries produce their own oxygen when burning and the fire will escalate quickly. These batteries may also experience ‘thermal runaway’. If this occurs, it is extremely difficult to extinguish the fire and domestic firefighting extinguishers will not be effective.

If your e-scooter, e-bike or hoverboard is on fire, you should:

• Unplug the charger if it is safe to do so.
• Close the door to the room or apartment that the fire is in. This will help contain the smoke and fire so you, and others, have time to escape.
• Evacuate the home immediately by shouting or, in an apartment block, by pressing the fire alarm break-glass unit.
• Call 999 or 112 when it is safe to do so and tell the call-taker that an e-scooter or e-bicycle is involved.
• Do not re-enter the building for any reason!
• Meet the firefighters when they arrive, explain where the fire is and that an e-scooter or e-bike is involved.

Dublin Fire Brigade's Fire Prevention Programmes

Making Dublin safe from fires and other emergencies is at the heart of what we do. Dublin Fire Brigade runs a number of fire safety programmes, which aim to get the community involved in the prevention of fires.

If you would like a fire officer to talk to your school, business or community, get in touch below.