Updated October 13, 2026 · ShutSafe Home Kit
Phones, laptops, power tools and e-bikes make everyday life easier. Safe charging habits help reduce lithium-ion battery fire risks. Use this home battery charging safety checklist with your household, and follow the instructions for each device.
Your five-minute safe charging checklist
Choose devices tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Use the battery and charging equipment specified by the manufacturer.
Keep charging devices off beds, couches and pillows, and away from materials that can burn. Keep doors and escape routes clear.
Follow charging instructions and disconnect devices when fully charged.
Check for swelling, leaks, discoloration, excessive heat, unusual smells or noises. Stop using a battery that shows these signs.
Keep batteries out of extreme temperatures. Arizona garages and vehicles can become too hot for safe charging; check the manufacturer’s temperature limits.
For an e-bike, choose a flat, dry charging location away from children, liquids, direct sunlight and tripping hazards.
Take used batteries to an appropriate battery collection location, rather than household trash or ordinary recycling.
Make your household emergency plan easy to find
Check smoke alarms according to their instructions. Practice leaving your home, choose an outdoor meeting place and make sure everyone knows how to call 911. Before an incident, document your water shutoff location, electrical panel location, utility contacts and emergency contacts. Review the details when equipment or contacts change.
ShutSafe Home Kit keeps essential home information in one familiar indoor location. It is an information tool; it does not prevent fires or replace alarms, qualified professionals or emergency services.
If a battery smokes or catches fire, leave immediately and call 911 from a safe location. Do not handle a smoking battery, investigate the fire, or delay evacuation to read a guide or operate a shutoff.
Common home battery charging questions
Can I use any charger that fits?
No. Use the charging equipment specified for the device. A connector that fits does not establish that a charger is compatible.
Does this checklist apply to an installed home backup battery?
This checklist focuses on portable rechargeable devices. Installed home energy storage has its own installation, operation and emergency instructions. Keep the installer’s contact details and manufacturer’s guidance available, and follow them.
How can realtors and insurance agents use this checklist?
Share it as a practical move-in or annual home-readiness reminder. Pair it with a walkthrough of essential home information, rather than a promise of insurance savings or loss prevention.
Explore ShutSafe Home Kit · Read the setup and safety FAQ · Take the home readiness challenge
Sources: NFPA lithium-ion battery safety guidance and NFPA Fire Prevention Week. Source guidance reviewed October 13, 2026.
