Montreal’s fire department is advising residents to avoid charging devices such as smartphones and tablets overnight, following a huge fire at the Port of Montreal that involved 15,000 kilograms of lithium-ion batteries.
The blaze prompted the evacuation of around 100 residents and a temporary lockdown for others nearby. Firefighters spent the night extinguishing the fire, and the investigation into its cause is ongoing.
“These battery fires are tough to put out,” said Montreal fire department division chief Martin Guilbault, to the Montreal Gazette. “The only way to extinguish them is to douse the batteries with water to cool them down and stop the chain reaction.”
Matthew Griffith, Montreal fire department’s prevention chief, said the city has seen a big jump in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. In 2024, there were 40 fires, up from just seven a few years ago. Why? More people are using devices like e-scooters, smartphones, and tablets, and damaged batteries are more likely to catch fire.
“I know many people charge their phones overnight — putting them on the nightstand before bed — but we recommend folks get in the habit of doing it while they’re awake,” said Griffith. “That way, if something happens, you’re alert and can detect it quickly.”
Griffith also suggested residents replace aging or damaged batteries, and use OEM and certified chargers. Having working smoke alarms in homes is also key.
Some fires are caused when people use cheap third-party cables or AC adapters, that aren’t certified. It’s a big ask to get people to charge their phones during the day, and instead at night, since it’s usually the last thing people do before they go to bed.
Apple says you can charge your iPhone using “Made for iPhone” or third-party cables that meet USB 2.0 and safety standards. However the company points out non-compliant adapters may pose a risk of injury or death.
Using damaged cables or charging with moisture can also cause fire or electric shock. Apple says to ensure the charging cable or wireless charger is properly connected and keep all components in a well-ventilated area. When using a wireless charger, remove metallic cases and keep metal objects like keys or coins away to prevent overheating or charging issues.
Will you stop charging your phone at night and switch to the day? Or will you skip living your life in fear and just continue to charge your smartphone at night?
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It's not "living your life in fear", it's called common sense.
There's no such thing as common sense…that's a fact.
Yea I’ll get right on that
I wonder if Magsafe charging carries the same level of risk as USB charging?
I refuse to use wireless charging. Despite what anyone may say, the devices get too bloody hot not to cause harm.
I refuse to plug in my device to charge either, because it's also making it heat up.
When the battery is depleted I just buy a new phone.
/s
How retarded does one have to be make such an absurd statement over a few isolated incidents with smartphones and tablets. There is a problem though with eBikes and eScooters though.
Ya, would’ve been a better call to action to just say e-bikes and e-scooters.
…..so let's spend provincial and federal tax dollars to subsidize lithium battery factories for foreign companies. What could go wrong in the warehouse? Definitely not what happened with the 15 ton container in the port of Montreal. Right? Right?
WHAT is an OEM adapter and HOW do I know if it is "certified" or "third-party cables that meet USB 2.0 safety standards"!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
OEM adapter is an adapter from the Original Equipment Manufacturer; therefore, if you have an Apple device, it’s the Apple’s original power adapter/charger. Or if it is Samsung or Google device, same logic applies; also for the cables. I’m sure you know that.
Apple has a MFI (initially meant “Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad) Program which certifies hardware accessories that connect electronically to their devices, so if the cable or charger is MFI certified, that’s how you know.
As for the third thing, don’t bother finding out if the cable meets USB 2.0 safety standards, just get them from the well known, established brands and you’ll be OK.
And there are literally boatloads of Chinese EVs just itching to come to our shores with politicians preaching to charge EVs overnight.
This fire chief and others like him haven't seen nothing yet.
As though Quebec didn't need to be even more of a laughing stock to Canada.
Meanwhile our politicians are pushing for more adoption and funding of this EV nonsense from foreign locations. What could go wrong? This, this right here.