AMI is urging New Zealand households to stay vigilant, as new data shows most lithium-ion battery incidents stem from unsafe charging.
AMI Executive General Manager Claims, Steph Ferris says the data shows just how quickly things can go wrong when batteries are not treated with care.
“Over one third (37%) of battery-related insurance claims occurred during charging, and these incidents carried an average cost of around $33,000. Beyond the financial impact, fires caused by lithium-ion batteries can also put lives at risk and cause irreversible damage to treasured personal items. That’s a significant concern, especially when so many of these incidents are preventable.”
Research commissioned by AMI found 65% of people have left devices charging overnight, and 64% have left devices charging unattended. Younger generations are particularly at risk, with half of Gen Z respondents having charged devices on a bed or sofa, compared with 28% of all respondents.
Steph adds, “We know New Zealanders rely heavily on lithium powered devices, but many don’t realise how common unsafe charging habits have become.”
Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Community Education Manager Tom Ronaldson says while there is nothing inherently dangerous about lithium-ion batteries, they can be a fire hazard if they are damaged, mishandled, or improperly disposed of.
“When lithium-ion battery fires do occur, they can happen very quickly. Therefore, it is important that if your battery is emitting vapour or unusual sounds, you evacuate immediately and call 111.
“To keep lithium-ion batteries safe while charging, always use the correct charger for your device. If the battery is damaged or feels hot to the touch during charging, stop using it immediately and replace it with one from the manufacturer.
“Always avoid charging devices on soft surfaces or leaving them plugged in for extended periods.
“Batteries cannot be placed into household rubbish or recycling, make sure you dispose of them correctly at a battery collection point or recycling centre.”
Disposal habits reveal safety blind spots
Following on from continued reports of lithium-ion battery-related fires that have started inside waste collection trucks, AMI's research also highlights concerning gaps in public understanding of how to safely dispose of these batteries.
“We really want to emphasise that lithium-ion batteries should never go in household rubbish,” adds Steph. “We’re still seeing fires in rubbish trucks and transfer stations because of incorrect disposal, and nearly a third of people who threw them away simply didn’t realise it was the wrong thing to do. Proper recycling isn’t just recommended - it prevents fires and saves lives.”
According to AMI’s research, while 69% of people say they have never disposed of a battery in general household waste, nearly a third of New Zealanders have, or aren’t sure if they have.
Lithium-ion batteries widespread in Kiwi homes
Lithium-ion batteries are now inside nearly every portable electronic device, from mobile phones and laptops to power tools, e bikes, e scooters, toys, wearables and more.
AMI’s research found that unsurprisingly, the most common lithium powered items in New Zealand homes are mobile phones (86%) and laptops (78%), followed by power tools (56%) and power banks (52%).
When asked to estimate how many lithium-ion batteries they had in their home, 41% of people said they had between one and five, 22% had between six and ten, and 21% aren’t sure how many they have at all.
“When you add up phones, laptops, earbuds, vacuum cleaners, power tools, toys and e-mobility devices, the number of lithium-ion batteries in a single home can easily reach into the dozens. The more batteries we have around us, the more important it is to handle them safely,” says Steph.
Seasonal shifts increase fire risk
Although battery-related fire claims tend to peak in January, AMI claims data shows that incidents also surge during the change in season when households naturally change routines - adjusting heating and cooling, altering charging behaviours, or bringing stored devices back into use - all of which affects how batteries are handled.
Temperature swings during these periods also contribute to battery stress, making devices more vulnerable to overheating or failure.
“Batteries don’t cope well with rapid changes in temperature,” Steph explains. Spring, autumn and the weeks on either side of summer and winter are when we see people shift routines and those small changes can increase the risk of a battery malfunctioning.”
