'My vacuum cleaner exploded while it was charging'

A Surrey woman has warned about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries after an explosion at her home.

Denise Graovac from Thames Ditton told BBC Radio Surrey she had left a handheld vacuum cleaner charging unattended in her garage when her daughter heard a loud bang.

"There was a fire in my garage," said Denise, adding the device had "totally melted".

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it had seen a rise in battery-related fires over the past five years, with 55 incidents since September alone.

The service compared this with 53 incidents in the whole of 2023, 20 in 2022 and 13 in 2021.

Lithium-ion batteries are found in smartphones, laptops, e-bikes and electric vehicles.

They can pose a serious fire risk if damaged, mishandled, or charged incorrectly, and old batteries can sometimes spontaneously combust without warning.

Ms Graovac said: "Be very careful what you leave plugged in.

"They can explode at any time and they can cause loss of property and even possibly loss of life.

"You’ve got to be aware of what you’ve got in your house because they can be dangerous."

An SFRS spokesperson said the number of incidents "could rise year-on-year with the increased use of lithium-ion batteries in everyday household items".

It said fires caused by the batteries can spread quickly and be difficult to extinguish.

It advised people not to overcharge them, to store them safely, inspect them for damage and dispose of them properly.

Station commander  Steve Love said: "Lithium-ion batteries come with risks.

"By taking raising awareness, we hope to reduce the number of incidents."

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