Firefighters in Dublin are pretty freaked out by what went down recently involving e-bikes. The crew from Tallaght and Dolphin’s Barn got a call about an electric bike catching fire last week. The Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) spokesperson was all like, “Yo, charge your bikes outside and definitely not overnight.” The crew had to respond to an electric bike fire and now they’re dropping some knowledge on how to not set your ride on fire.
When you’re out there looking for an e-bike, e-scooter, or hoverboard, make sure you hit up a legit store. Don’t be messing around with online sites you’ve never heard of, or you might get a raw deal. Those sketchy products might not even be up to safety standards. Here’s what you need to do when choosing one of these bad boys:
– Make sure it’s got a real CE mark. Check out the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s website for the deets.
– Look for info on the packaging about the manufacturer.
– If the manual is sketchy, return that thing.
– Get a pro to check out any second-hand devices because who knows what they’ve been through.
Now, let’s talk about charging and battery safety. Those li-ion batteries that power these gadgets are cool, but they can start a fire if you mess around with them. Here’s what you should do:
– Stick with the charger that came with the product. If you need a new one, grab it from the same place you got the device.
– Charge outside if you can. Don’t be charging your stuff in the hallway of your apartment building, that’s just asking for trouble.
– Have an escape plan in case of a fire.
– Don’t leave the battery charging overnight.
– Keep an eye on the battery and if it starts acting funky, get it checked out.
If your e-scooter or e-bike catches fire, get out of there ASAP. Those fumes are no joke and can mess you up big time. Here’s what to do:
– Unplug the charger if you can.
– Close the door to contain the fire.
– Get out and call for help.
– Don’t go back inside for anything.
So, yeah, e-bikes are cool and all, but you gotta be careful with them. Stay safe out there, folks!
