FOI Request 1935

Subject: Lithium-ion Batteries in Toys, Toothbrushes, Phones and Laptops

Status: Complete

Date received: October 2023

Question Asked:

We would like to investigate whether there has been an increase in fires caused by items that contain lithium-ion batteries, particularly items that children or young people have access to, such as toys, phones and laptops etc.

Therefore, under the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Regulations, I would like to request the following information:

• The number of household fires caused (or thought to be caused) by lithium-ion batteries in toys, toothbrushes, phones and laptops from 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2021

• The number of household fires caused (or thought to be caused) by lithium-ion batteries in toys, toothbrushes, phones and laptops from 01.01.2022 to 31.12.2022

• The number of household fires caused (or thought to be caused) by lithium-ion batteries in toys, toothbrushes, phones and laptops from 01.01.2023 to 30.10.2023

• The number of fires in dustcarts and waste-processing centres fires caused (or thought to be caused) by lithium-ion batteries in toys, toothbrushes, phones and laptops from 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2021

• The number of fires in dustcarts and waste-processing centres fires caused (or thought to be caused) by lithium-ion batteries in toys, toothbrushes, phones and laptops from 01.01.2022 to 31.12.2022

• The number of fires in dustcarts and waste-processing centres fires caused (or thought to be caused) by lithium-ion batteries in toys, toothbrushes, phones and laptops from 01.01.2023 to 30.10.2023

If possible, please can you detail what has caused the fire, or what is thought to have caused the fire so we can identify the source of the fire.

Our Response:

Currently the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Incident Recording System (IRS) has insufficient facilities for the comprehensive recording, and subsequent analysis, of the involvement of lithium-ion batteries at fires attended. Therefore, CFRS can only provide information based on a keyword search (‘lithium’, ‘lithium-ion’, ‘lithium ion’, ‘lithium battery’, ‘lithium-ion battery; and ‘lithium ion battery’). Consequently, the search may not locate all fires involving lithium-ion batteries unless these keywords were recorded on the incident logs.

After a thorough search of our Incident Recording System, no fire incidents were found, using the criteria provided, involving lithium-ion batteries between 1st January 2021 and 30th October 2023.

Outcome: Data Not Held

FOI responded to within timescales: YES

Further action: NO