If you own an electric vehicle, e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter, or lithium-ion home charging system, you have introduced a new category of fire risk into your home. The good news: it is a risk that is very manageable with the right knowledge and equipment. This checklist gives you everything you need to make your home EV-safe.

Charging Safety Checklist

Use the Right Charger

Always use the manufacturer-specified charger for every lithium-ion device and vehicle in your home — your EV wallbox, e-bike charger, e-scooter charger, and mobility scooter charger. Mark each charger with the device it belongs to. Accidental swap-overs are more common than you would think, especially in households with multiple EV devices.

Inspect Cables Before Every Charge

Look for damage to the cable sheath, bent or corroded connectors, or signs of melting near the plug. A damaged cable is a fire risk. Replace it before charging — do not tape over damage or continue using a compromised cable.

Never Charge Overnight Unsupervised

If you must charge overnight, ensure your storage or garage area has a working smoke detector, your EV fire equipment is within reach, and your charger has an automatic cutoff at full charge. For e-bikes and e-scooters, avoid overnight charging where possible.

Do Not Charge in Extreme Heat

Charging in ambient temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius stresses lithium-ion cells. In Australian summers, this is a real concern for garage-based charging. Charge during cooler parts of the day or consider a smart charger with temperature management.

Storage Safety Checklist

• Store e-bikes and e-scooters in a ventilated location, not in hallways or blocking exits
• Keep batteries away from flammable materials — cardboard, timber, fuel, and cleaning products
• Do not store batteries in direct sunlight or areas that become very hot
• Use a lithium-ion containment bag for any battery that is damaged, swollen, or suspected to be compromised
• Inspect stored batteries monthly for signs of swelling or physical change

Equipment Checklist

• EV fire extinguisher appropriate to your vehicle type — 1L for e-bikes and e-scooters, 6L or larger for electric cars
• EV fire blanket appropriate to your vehicle size
• Lithium-ion containment bag for battery storage and transport
• Working smoke detector in garage and storage areas
• A wall bracket to keep your extinguisher accessible and visible at all times

Emergency Response Checklist

Know what to do before an emergency happens. Talk through this plan with your household:

• If you smell something unusual from a charging battery: disconnect the charger if safe, move to fresh air, call 000 if the smell is strong
• If you see smoke or heat from a battery: evacuate immediately, close doors behind you to slow fire spread, call 000 from outside
• If flames are visible: do not attempt to fight the fire unless it is very small and you have an appropriate EV extinguisher with a safe exit behind you. When in doubt, get out.
• If the fire appears to go out: do not re-enter. Maintain safe distance. Inform fire services of the re-ignition risk. Do not re-enter until cleared by emergency services.

Annual Maintenance Checklist

• Inspect all EV fire equipment annually — check extinguisher pressure gauge, inspect blanket for damage, verify containment bag integrity
• Test smoke detectors in charging and storage areas
• Have your EV wallbox inspected by a licensed electrician annually
• Review your household emergency response plan with all household members
• Check for manufacturer recalls on any of your lithium-ion devices and batteries