Any type of battery can pose a risk when not handled correctly or taken care of. Following these instructions on e cig and vape battery safety will help you to ensure that you use and charge your batteries safely, whilst also getting the best out of them.
You can also read our guide on How to Look After E Cigarette Batteries for more information on keeping your batteries in top condition.
E-Cig Battery Safety Guide
You may well have seen stories in the media regarding exploding e cigarette batteries. In the majority of cases, it has either been shown that the incorrect chargers were used, the products were not genuine or the batteries were not cared for or stored correctly. We want to ensure that our customers use our products safely and therefore we ask that you read and adhere to the following safety guidelines.
As with any batteries or battery powered device, e cigarettes are only dangerous when not used, stored or maintained correctly.
Li-Ion Battery Safety
Always adhere to the following strict battery safety guidelines when using and handling lithium ion batteries:
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- never carry loose batteries in pockets or bags. Contact with coins, other batteries and other conductive items can cause batteries to short.
- never leave a charging battery unattended
- only charge batteries with the provided chargers or cables and don’t mix different branded products
- always use the correct charging current as specified on your device or in instructions*
- do not overcharge batteries
- never store batteries in extreme temperatures and keep out of direct sunlight
- do not use a battery that shows any signs of damage or has come into contact with liquids
*OK Vape products should only ever be charged at a maximum of 1A/5V
Only Use Charging Equipment Designed for Your Battery
Most of the e cigarette incidents that have been reported in the news have occurred due to using the wrong charging equipment. You may find that chargers from other suppliers fit the attachment on your battery, but you should never use anything other than the one supplied with your e cigarette. If you have two different batteries with similar looking chargers, it is best to label them so that you know which is which. Do not charge batteries from an integrated sofa USB port.
Using Mains Adaptors to Charge Your Vape Batteries
Although you can easily pick up mains adaptors for USB powered devices, you should only use adapters with a 1 amp power output. Most mains USB adapters manufactured for use with phones or tablets are too powerful for charging e cigarette or vape batteries and charging with these could cause them to overheat.
If you are going to use a mains adapter to charge your vape batteries, make sure that you buy one from a reputable brand/supplier and that it has a power output of no more than 1 Amp/5 Volts.
OK Vape 1 Amp Mains Charging Adapters are available from our online shop.
Never Leave a Charging Battery Unattended
As with any type of rechargeable battery, you should never leave them unattended when charging and never leave them charging overnight. This isn’t to say you need to watch it the whole time it is on charge, but we recommend regularly checking it to ensure that nothing out of the ordinary is happening (e.g. hissing or overheating). If anything unusual does happen whilst charging, immediately remove the battery from the power source (be careful in case it’s hot) and dispose of it safely.
Batteries are classed as hazardous waste so if you have a battery that has had it’s day and no longer holds it’s charge, make sure you dispose of it responsibly. Many recycling centres take batteries and you can check for your nearest one here.
Do Not Overcharge Your Batteries
Over-charging your batteries is not only unsafe but it can also damage them. Make sure that you don’t leave them plugged in once they are fully charged.
Never leave your batteries charging overnight.
Turn Off Your Vape Battery When Not in Use
Please note that this only applies to manual e cigarette batteries. As OK Cigalike E Cigs are manually activated (you have to inhale to activate the battery), they don’t require an on/off function.
Turning your battery off will avoid the button being accidentally pressed when not in use and is an important vape battery safety feature.
Most vape batteries can be turned off or locked by pressing the power button 3 or 5 times in quick succession. You usually then can repeat this action to unlock the battery. There will be further instructions on how to do this for your specific mod or kit in the provided instruction manual.
Avoid Temperature and Light Extremes
You should never expose batteries to extreme temperatures. Make sure not to leave them in the car for an extended time on a hot or very cold day and don’t leave them in direct sunlight.
Never Use a Battery That Appears Damaged or Has Been In Contact With Liquids
Never use a battery that has been exposed to water or moisture. Regularly inspect your e-cigarette batteries and dispose of them safely if any damage is found.
The impact of dropping your battery or vape kit can cause pressure to build in the battery which could lead to overheating or an explosion. If you have dropped your battery or vape kit, inspect it for damage and, if in any doubt, refrain from using it and replace the battery or kit.
Guidelines from the Office for Product Safety Standards
You can find more information on e-cigarette & vape battery safety on the gov.uk website.