How to safely use lithium-ion batteries

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere - in your pockets, in your garages, or maybe in your cars. Here are ways to make sure they’re used safely.

A lot of trash gets thrown around inside the Jefferson County Transfer Center. But what you shouldn’t find in the piles are lithium-ion batteries.

Phones, vapes, really anything rechargeable likely has one in it.

“They’re in our everyday lives. They can be really efficient, but if people don’t properly dispose of them, that can cause a lot of dangers and hazards,” said Kyle Rutigliano, solid waste maintenance supervisor.

The hazards were seen firsthand last week in Carthage when a lithium-ion battery, likely from a tool, exploded and destroyed a garage and other property.

On a larger scale, four solar farm batteries burned near Chaumont in July 2023.

“When they get damaged, they can decompose and create copious amounts of heat, and that can result in extremely hot fire that is difficult to put out,” said Watertown Fire Chief Matt Timerman.

The Fire Safety Research Institute offers a number of tips on safely using the batteries:

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

The issue with the batteries is that once they get damaged physically or by fire, they’re considered hazardous materials and there’s no easy way to get rid of them.

“There’s many examples of times people have thrown batteries away, and they go into the trash truck, and all of a sudden the trash truck has a fire. Or there’s a fire at the transfer center,” said Timerman.

If you have a new, used, or undamaged rechargeable battery, you can bring them to the transfer site. They’ll box them up and ship them wherever they need to go.

“There’s a lot of different businesses and consumers out there that can do the same program we do. We offer that as a free charge for our residents and our county,” said Rutigliano.

But what do you do if you have a damaged lithium-ion battery? Fire officials say get it away from your home and let them know.

“There’s no easy answers, but we’ll work with you to find out the best way to dispose of it,” said Timerman.

Here’s what you can and can’t take to the Jefferson County Transfer Station.

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