Battery Safety VapourOxide

Battery safety

Electronic cigarettes, vapes, e-cigs, vaperoos or whatever you like to call them, have been the centre of controversy and bad publicity, some of which comes from device explosions.

We wish we could say more about what caused the explosions but unfortunately, most news stories don’t provide much information. When you think about it, wouldn’t that be helpful? Knowing what caused it so we can avoid it? Woosah… Anyway, most vapers know, or come to know, there are many things that could contribute to a (very rare) explosion which could actually happen to any lithium-battery-powered device, including phones - remember the Samsung debacle?

We could go on and on about this but please remember (here comes the disclaimer): this is a blog, with personal opinions and humour, not to be taken as fact or a real depiction of our opinions… kind of like the news. Ha ha, just kidding… or are we?

Yes, ANY batteries can explode in certain conditions. The biggest difference when vaping is that these batteries weren’t intended for vape devices. Also, we may be removing batteries to replace or charge them, making it more probable of causing damage to the battery. This can mean trouble.

So here’s how you can keep yourself safer while vaping, when it comes to batteries. Just because your vape doesn’t have a removeable battery, it doesn’t mean some of these tips don’t relate to you. Every vape (and phone) is a battery that you are putting close to your face so it’s important to be safe.

Remember, you are using these batteries at your own risk and YOU are responsible for your own safety.

  1. Don’t be cheap!

Don’t buy cheap imitation batteries. Ensure your batteries are from a reputable manufacturer (such as Sony or Samsung (don’t worry, their replaceable batteries are better than their phones’)) for best quality and regulation.

You can almost guarantee this by buying them from a reputable supplier, like us, for example. We deal directly with the manufacturers and are never cheap when it comes to battery safety!

  1. Won’t somebody think of the children?

Children shouldn’t be left in cars and neither should your batteries. Way too hot, even in winter. Bad things happen when children and batteries get too hot… even worse if you leave them both in a car at the same time.

Store your batteries (and child) in a cool place. Here’s hoping we don’t have to go further and tell you not to put them in the microwave or oven… right?

  1. Trading up is good for batteries (not partners)

If your battery has been used for more than about 12 months, we recommend you replace it. They won't get upset like a partner would.

Please dispose of your old battery properly – car battery shops may dispose of them for you. Don’t throw them in the bin (close to other metal things making it dangerous for bin collectors and yourself) as they are usually recycled when disposed of correctly.

Also, if your battery or device (with in-built battery) starts feeling hot when used, you get frequent ‘low battery’ indications or it discharges very quickly, it’s also time to replace your device or battery.

  1. Don’t lick batteries… or windows

Look, if you’re not meant to eat it, don’t lick it. Don’t give batteries to those inclined to lick things they are not supposed to (such as children). Batteries should never be wet, this would include saliva.

  1. Wrap, wrap, wrap it up

Re-wrap batteries that have tears in their original coating. Most vape shops sell battery wraps. Any damage to the wrap, no matter how small, can be a problem. Exposed batteries can short, overheat and may explode. Back to tip number one - don’t be cheap, re-wrapping costs next to nothing.

  1. If it’s dented, forget it

Any dents on a battery is a sign of damage and we recommend that you replace/stop using them immediately. Even if some dents don’t affect the working of the battery, we aren’t willing to risk our or anyone else’s safety so get rid of them (properly).

Oh and same goes for if the battery is rusty. Some rust may be okay but we wouldn’t risk it. Replace it if there are signs of rust. Also, it would be obvious to say that if it’s leaking fluid it’s a gonner right?

  1. Keep a birth certificate

Record the date you purchased the battery so you know when it’s gettin’ old. Again, we recommend replacing batteries that have been used for over a year. Batteries. Not your baby.

Helpful hint: some vapers write the purchase date on the battery. Please use a marker not a sharp pen that may tear the wrap, otherwise you’re back at tip number five – wrap it up... again.

  1. Don’t let them run wild (like your kids). Sensing a theme here?

Loose battery in your pocket with keys and change? No.

Loose battery in your handbag with god-knows-what-else? No.

Buy a battery case to store and carry your batteries around to protect them. Connection with other metal things can… BANG!

  1. Don’t leave them unattended (Ha ha, definite theme.)

Whether charging in a separate battery charger (which is recommended by many as safer) or through the device, don’t leave them charging overnight or longer than they need and keep an eye on them. Our mate’s laptop charger started smoking… really! It didn’t pick up the habit, it was overheating! Luckily they were home when it happened!

If using an external charger, we highly recommend using a smart charger as it cuts off power to the batteries when they are fully charged. And please take care when taking batteries out not to damage them.

  1. Abide by the law

If you’re into mechanical mods or making your own coils, you need to understand Ohm’s Law. Basically, if your coil draws too many amps too quickly from your battery… you guessed it, it could explode. We recommend researching this well before doing it yourself.

  1. If you need two, make sure they’re twins

Some devices need two batteries and in this case they should be exactly the same. We recommend the same brand, age, output etc. This ensures equal dispensing of power and discharge… Just like twin babies.

If you’ve been using twin batteries for a device, don’t use the batteries separately and then together again. This may lead to uneven discharge and be detrimental to the life of both batteries.

  1. Don’t play until they are drained

Tired babies cry and if you drain a battery until it’s totally empty, apparently it decreases its lifespan (aka it throws a hissy fit). It’s better to recharge before totally empty.

  1. Rock-a-buy-safety!

Don’t buy imitation e-cigarettes. All the brands we stock have safety features such as short circuit or overheating protections. These are imperative and could save an explosion if something goes wrong with the battery.

  1. Feed them the right amp

Always use the charging cable you were provided with your device and if you need a new one, we’ve got plenty in stock.

Check your device charging amp (usually 1 or 2 amps) and make sure the output of your wall plug or USB station doesn’t go above this.

Don’t use fast-charge sockets for your devices as they are not built for this.

DO NOT use phone or other chargers to charge your device.

  1. No more pocket drama

Ever had your device fire in your pocket? We have. It’s a continuous fire that seriously heats up your device and obviously the battery. If your device is button-activated, please, please, PLEASE remember to turn if off (five clicks should do it for most) before putting it in your pocket or bag. Most devices have a cut-off for length of puff but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

In summary, treat your batteries like you would your children. Keep them safe, protected, cool, wrapped up tight, feed them right and don’t give them more than they can handle. Don’t keep them around for 20 years though (the batteries). If you’re reading this and you don’t have kids, just pretend.

Remember, you are vaping an electronic device. It’s our opinion that all electronics can have things go wrong which can be dangerous. For example, our friend’s TV blew up while he was watching it!

You might be thinking, 'boy, they have a lot of friends with weird electronic issues' and that might be true but it’s beyond the point (he was okay by the way). We just need to make sure we are using and taking care of our devices correctly for our families’ and our own safety. Of course, this cannot guarantee that a device may not be faulty, but like anything electronic, using it comes with its own risks.

We hope that amongst the humour, we’ve given you some tips on battery safety when vaping which is very important in our industry.

Thank you to the vape stores, vape enthusiasts, regulatory bodies and VapourOxide team for the information we used to put our list of battery safety tips together.

Resources:

https://vapepenzone.com.au/blogs/my-blogs/11-vape-battery-of-juul-relx-safety-tips-you-should-know

https://www.vaporfi.com.au/blog/vape-battery-safety-what-you-should-and-shouldnt-do/

https://www.mtbakervapor.com/vaping-information/vape-battery-safety.html

https://www.vapoaustralia.com.au/pages/vaping-battery-safety

https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/tips-help-avoid-vape-battery-explosions

https://www.thevapepocketguide.com/2019/03/vaping/battery-safety-quick-guide/

https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/blogs/mooch.256958/

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