West Central Solid Waste shares lithium battery safety tips

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Lithium and lithium-ion batteries an be found in rechargeable tools, cellphones, electronic devices, laptops, vapes and more.

To keep your home and family safe, West Central Solid Waste District is sharing some information on the proper disposal of lithium batters.

These batters can swell, catch fire and even explode. Lithium batteries are at a greater risk for fires than alkaline batteries. Swollen or defective batteries pose an even grater risk.

Usage
• Replace the battery if it becomes damaged.
• Keep batteries out of high-temperature areas.
• Do not overcharge batteries, including cell phones and laptops. Once it has reached maximum charge, unplug the device from the charger.

Storage
• Store in a cool, dry place.
• Avoid storing multiple lithium batteries together.

Disposal
• Tape each end with box tape and drop off at a West Central Solid Waste District Tox-Away Day. Find dates and locations on the West Central Facebook page or www.westcentralswd.com.
• Do not dispose of lithium batters in the trash. This can cause fires during transportation in garbage trucks.

If your battery catches fire:
• Carefully get the battery outdoors immediately and call 911 if necessary.