Hey folks, I've got a serious issue with my old iPhone battery—it's swollen up significantly. While it's not hot or leaking, I'm fully aware of how dangerous swollen batteries can be. Right now, it's Easter, and all the recycling centers are closed. I called the fire department for advice, and they suggested I take it outside and leave it in the snow away from my building (I live in Norway). Does that sound safe? I'm really uneasy about having it sitting around.
3 Answers
Definitely get that battery out of your home—it can be quite a fire hazard! I once witnessed an older laptop battery catch fire, and it was a wild situation. My coworker tossed it outside, and it ignited but thankfully didn’t spread since we were in a safe area. While the chances of it catching fire are low, it’s still risky to keep it in your living space. Leaving it in the snow should be fine; just be cautious that it’s not somewhere a child could stumble upon it.
I think following the fire department's advice is the right move. They know what to do when it comes to potential fire hazards. Plus, placing it in the snow minimizes the risk of it catching fire in a place where it could spread. Just make sure it's out of reach of anyone who might accidentally pick it up.
Is the water in the snow going to make it hazardous because of the lithium?
Not really, unless the battery is already open or compromised. If that happens, it's already a problem. In fact, flooding lithium batteries with water is a common way to control fires at sea, so snow should be fine. But it's best to keep it somewhat dry and definitely out in the cool air.