Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District · Community Risk Reduction

Lithium-Ion Batteries on a Barrier Island

Phones, e-bikes, golf carts, power tools, and electric vehicles all run on lithium-ion batteries. They're safe when used correctly — but when they fail, they fail fast, and saltwater flooding can turn them into delayed fire hazards. Here's what every island resident should know.

Escape time can drop below 1 minute Flooded batteries can ignite days later 48 battery fires after Hurricane Helene

Three Situations, Three Playbooks

Battery safety on the island isn't one message — it's three. How you charge every day, what you do when a storm is coming, and how you handle anything that got wet after the water recedes.

Every Day

  • Buy devices and batteries listed by a recognized testing lab (UL, ETL, CSA). Avoid off-brand replacement batteries and chargers.
  • Charge with the cord and charger that came with the device, on a hard flat surface — never on a bed, couch, or under a pillow.
  • Unplug when fully charged. Don't leave e-bikes and scooters charging overnight or unattended.
  • Never charge e-bikes or scooters in hallways, stairwells, or blocking your exit. Outside or in a detached area is best.
  • Stop using any battery that is swollen, hot, damaged, or smells odd — and get it out of the house.
  • Never put lithium batteries in the trash or curbside recycling. Take them to a battery recycling drop-off or hazardous waste site.

Before a Hurricane

  • If you evacuate, take small battery devices with you and move EVs, golf carts, e-bikes, and scooters off-island or to high ground.
  • Can't move a vehicle to high ground? Park it outside, at least 50 feet from buildings and other vehicles — not in a ground-floor garage in the surge zone.
  • Don't top off. A battery at a lower state of charge holds less energy to release if it's damaged. Charge to what you need, not 100%.
  • Move battery tools, spare packs, and lawn equipment out of garages and ground floors that could take surge water.
  • Golf cart owners: if your cart has been converted to lithium, it carries EV-style flood risk. Plan for it like a car, not a cart.
  • Unplug all chargers before you leave.

After Saltwater Flooding

  • Treat any flooded battery device as a fire hazard. Salt residue inside the pack can short cells and ignite days or even weeks later.
  • Do not charge, start, or "test" a flooded EV, golf cart, e-bike, scooter, or tool. Do not bring flooded devices indoors.
  • If a flooded EV or cart is in your garage, get it moved outside to open ground, away from structures. Open vehicle windows and doors to vent gases.
  • Contact your dealer or manufacturer for inspection, and use a reputable tow company that knows the vehicle was flooded.
  • Keep small flooded devices outdoors, away from anything that can burn, until they can be recycled properly.
  • See smoke, hear hissing or popping, or smell a sweet chemical odor from any battery or vehicle? Get away and call 911.

Know the Warning Signs

A failing lithium-ion battery usually gives a short warning before thermal runaway. If you notice any of these, stop using the device. If it's safe to do so, move it away from anything that can burn — then get out and call 911.

Heat

The device or battery is unusually hot to the touch.

Swelling

The battery bulges, or the device case changes shape or color.

Sound

Hissing, popping, whistling, or crackling noises.

Smell

A strange sweet or chemical odor.

Smoke

Vapor, smoke, or jet-like flame — from a device or from under a vehicle.

Leaking

Fluid leaking from the battery or device.

Warning signs? Get out. Stay out. Call 911.

See It for Yourself

Research footage from UL's Fire Safety Research Institute shows why these fires leave so little time to react.

Thermal runaway in a residence. FSRI testing shows the explosive force a failing lithium-ion battery can generate inside a home.
A PSA about the power of lithium-ion batteries and precautions that can be taken to use batteries safely. Learn more ways to Take C.H.A.R.G.E. of Battery Safety at batteryfiresafety.org (opens in new tab).

Trusted Resources

Everything below is free, public, and from national fire-safety or government sources. Great for sharing with your HOA, condo association, or neighbors.

Everyday Battery Safety

Hurricanes, Saltwater & EVs

For Local Officials, HOAs & Educators

Questions about battery safety, disposal, or storm preparation? Call our non-emergency line at 727-595-1117 or email info@psfrd.org.

In an emergency, always call 911.

External links are provided for public education. This department is not responsible for the content of external sites.

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