So far in 2023, 23 deaths have already been recorded in fire accidents, the vast majority caused by lithium batteries that are used in bicycles and skateboards and that many people charge without supervision.
“They get hot and when they start to smoke and throw away there is no way to stop it, to put it out, we get that a normal bicycle takes about 30 gallons of water to put out a bicycle fire, but this lithium bike takes about 300 gallons for the same amount of fire,” says Lieutenant Jorge Ricco, President of the National Association of Firefighters.
Popular with food delivery drivers and touring bikes, these batteries that are retreaded or sold for cheaper online have become killers. In 2022 they were the cause of 216 accidents. Rehabilitating a building after a fire is also a long and tedious task.
“The fire has to get too many permits, you have to see the city, the requirements we need and yes it is more difficult when it is on fire, when it is repaired it is normal, it is nothing more than a wall is knocked down and it is put right there, but fire yes Everything has to be completely repaired”, comments José Reyes, Contractor Builder.
Lawmakers in New York are seeking to pass more laws to get uncertified lithium batteries off the streets and restrict the sale of these devices that don’t meet safety standards. Creating stations with surveillance to charge these batteries is another of the solutions being considered.
