Battery toys are a fire hazard, new data shows

Firefighters attend nearly one battery fire each day in Victoria, and these common household objects pose particular risk.

Emily Thiesz with her son Wilbur and some of his many toys that need batteries. Picture: Brad Fleet

Armstrong Creek’s Emily Thiesz is one of many mums alarmed by the fire risk posed by batteries found in kids’ toys.

“I luckily haven’t had a close call personally, but I’ve definitely heard about it,” she said.

“No mum in my friendship circle understood that you have to take batteries out of toys before you throw them away.”

Now, she said she made a conscious effort to dispose of batteries safely.

“The consequences of a fire are quite huge,” she said.

On Wednesday Cleanaway released research showing 50 per cent of Aussies didn’t know where to dispose of batteries.

One in two found disposing of batteries difficult, and a third didn’t realise putting them in the bin could lead to serious fires.

The study showed battery toys are also a major problem, as many people don’t think about the batteries inside before throwing toys in the bin.

Emily Thiesz with her son Wilbur and some of his toys that need batteries. Picture: Brad Fleet

A Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesman said Victorian fire services responded to nearly one lithium-ion battery fire per day in Victoria.

“We know that many battery-related fires start in household bins, garbage trucks and waste facilities,” he said.

The spokesman said people should not throw lithium-ion batteries in regular waste or recycling collection bins.

“We advise, where safe to do so, to place leaking or damaged batteries in a clear plastic bag and take them to a reputable place for disposal,” he said.

The spokesman said safety tips and battery disposal locations could be found on the CFA website.

Australian Council for Recycling data shows more than three battery-related fires are reported per day throughout Australia.

Originally published as Battery toys are a fire hazard, new data shows