How Do You Put Out a Lithium Battery Fire?
The US Fire Administration says not to try. Its guidance is that if a lithium-ion battery fire occurs, do not try to put it out, and instead evacuate and call 911 immediately.
The moment to act is before a fire. USFA says to stop using a lithium-ion battery if you notice an odor, a change in color, too much heat, a change in shape, leaking or odd noises, and to unplug a battery-powered device that is noticeably hot while it is charging. It lists signs of damage or thermal runaway as mechanical damage such as cracking, bulging, popping or hissing, visible gases venting and rising temperature.
Recalls are worth checking for e-bikes and other battery products. In one example, a Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice from July 2025 told owners to stop using VIVI e-bikes with the recalled lithium-ion batteries immediately and to contact the company for a free replacement battery and charger.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceThe US Fire Administration says to stop using lithium-ion batteries if you notice an odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking or odd noises. US Fire Administration, FEMA ↗
- Government sourceUSFA lists signs of lithium-ion battery damage or thermal runaway as mechanical damage such as cracking, bulging, popping or hissing, visible gases venting and rising temperature. US Fire Administration, FEMA ↗
- Government sourceUSFA says that if a lithium-ion battery fire occurs, do not try to put it out, and evacuate and call 911 immediately. US Fire Administration, FEMA ↗
- Government sourceUSFA says to unplug a lithium-ion battery-powered device that is noticeably hot while it is charging. US Fire Administration, FEMA ↗
- RecallA July 2025 CPSC recall notice told consumers to immediately stop using VIVI e-bikes with the recalled lithium-ion batteries and contact VIVI for a free replacement battery and charger. US Consumer Product Safety Commission ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.