Anderlecht (The Brussels Morning newspaper): The fire started due to overheated batteries in power tools emphasizing proper storage, charging and usage to prevent future incidents. Key safety tips include using the original charger, avoiding overcharging and regularly checking batteries for damage.
In Anderlecht an incident happened when the firefighters got there they saw that a neighbor had already put out the fire at the back of the loft. Even though the fire was out the main concern was making sure everyone was safe and healthy. They found out that the person who stopped the fire and the people in the loft had breathed in smoke. To be safe they all went to the hospital to be checked and treated for any problems caused by breathing in the smoke. While all that was happening the firefighters made sure to secure the loft even further. They aired out the loft to get rid of any leftover smoke and make the air inside better. This was really important to make sure there were no hidden bits of fire that could start up again. After airing it out they checked everything carefully and put out any remaining fire completely to make sure the loft was totally safe and there was no chance of the fire starting again.
How can people prevent battery-related fires in your home?
The fire started because the batteries in the power tools got too hot. It is important to store and use battery-powered tools correctly to avoid accidents. To help prevent this from happening again the fire department has shared some key safety tips for handling batteries and power tools.
According to Walter Derieuw from the Brussels fire brigade it’s really important to only use the charger that originally comes with your device. Using a different charger can cause overcharging and overheating which makes the chance of a fire higher. S, according to Derieuw, it’s important to let your devices cool down after using them a lot. If they get too hot from being used too much it can damage the battery and other parts possibly causing problems or fires. He also said to keep an eye on your device while it’s charging and not to charge it overnight. Leaving it charging without watching it can hide overheating issues. When the battery is fully charged make sure to unplug the charger to avoid overcharging and reduce the fire risk. By following these tips you can make your battery-powered devices safer and last longer.
