Do not expose power banks to extreme heat (like inside a hot car), direct sunlight, or water, as this can cause fire or explosion. Never use a damaged, swollen, or dropped unit. Avoid overcharging by leaving it plugged in overnight, and never charge it on flammable surfaces like beds or sofas.
Hazard to consumers: There is a risk of serious injury, damage to property or both if the battery pack overheats and catches fire. This can occur even when the product is not in use.
Use and store the power bank in cool and dry places away from heat sources, direct sunlight, combustible gas, humidity, water or other liquids. Avoid storing power banks with other metal objects (e.g., coins, keys, paper clips) as a short circuit may occur if a metal object enters the power bank's ports.
Storing a portable charger in high heat or humid conditions can damage its battery cell, just as improper practices like prolonged charging or using incompatible chargers can. These stresses on the battery may cause overheating and increase the risk of fire.
From 15 December 2025, the following policy will apply:
Power banks, spare batteries and personal electronic devices (PEDs) should be with the passenger, including in the seat pocket or under the seat in front. If this is not possible, then in a nearby overhead locker.
The policy, which went into effect this month, was prompted by “significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry”, the Dubai-based airline said.
Overcharging is a major cause of explosions. Leaving the device plugged in for too long puts the battery under constant pressure, increasing the risk of swelling or short circuits. Disconnect the charger once full, and avoid unnecessary long charging periods—even if the power bank includes overcharge protection.
The 80/20 charging rule is a guideline for lithium-ion batteries (phones, EVs, etc.) suggesting you keep the charge between 20% and 80% for daily use to extend battery longevity, avoiding deep discharges (below 20%) and prolonged full charges (above 80%) that stress the battery's electrodes, thereby slowing degradation and preserving maximum capacity longer, though modern devices have software to help manage this.
The don't for your power bank
Don't expose it to extreme temperatures,. Don't drop or roughly handle your power bank which may damage internal components. Don't cover your power bank whilst charging that may increase the devices temperature unnecessarily and charge in a well-ventilated environment.
Yes, lithium batteries can catch fire even when not in use (unplugged/idle) due to internal damage, manufacturing defects, or improper storage, though this is less common than during charging; they contain flammable electrolytes and can undergo a dangerous "thermal runaway" if compromised, leading to intense fires and toxic gas release. Risks increase with physical damage, extreme temperatures, or lack of proper battery management systems (BMS), making correct handling, charging, and storage crucial for preventing fires.
Essential Tips for Preventing Power Bank Fires
Most power banks come with built-in safety features like overcharging protection, which stops the charging process once your device is fully powered. However, it's always a good practice to unplug any charging device once it's full to extend its lifespan.
The biggest cause of lithium-ion battery explosions is thermal runaway, a self-sustaining chain reaction of overheating that can be triggered by manufacturing defects, physical damage (like punctures or crushing), overcharging, or exposure to extreme heat, leading to the release of flammable electrolytes and intense fires. While physical abuse and manufacturing flaws are major triggers, incorrect charging and overheating from external sources are very common culprits.
Fire and Overheating Hazards
Fire departments respond to phone calls about fires every year. Most involve phones left on beds, couches, or buried under pillows and blankets. Your phone case makes this worse. That protective cover traps even more heat during charging.
While the "best" brand depends on your needs, Anker is consistently top-rated for overall reliability, features, and value, with strong contenders also including INIU (budget/value), Ugreen (high capacity/power), Belkin (travel/multi-port), and Nimble (eco-friendly/fast charging) for specialized use cases like laptops or sustainable options.
Take care of your battery
Wang noted that if you frequently charge your phone to 100%, your battery will deteriorate roughly 10% to 15% faster over your phone's lifetime than if you charged it to consistently to a lower percentage like 90%. “So it's not a whole lot, but it's noticeable,” he added.
Most Smartphones have a lithium-ion battery that lives longer when charged regularly. Unlike the nickel batteries used in older phones, lithium-ion batteries do best when kept above a 50 percent charge. Repeatedly allowing the battery to drain fully may shorten its life and decrease its overall capacity.
Lithium-ion batteries are highly energy-dense and contain electrolytes that are highly flammable. There are several situations that can lead to lithium-ion batteries catching fire, including: Overcharging or use of non-compliant charging equipment.
One of the things that kills your phone power bank battery is using it till it drains completely. If you always use the power bank frequently until you've completely emptied the battery, it will reduce the battery's strength gradually. It is better to charge it when the power is low but not zero percent (0%).
How to Choose a Power Bank
A single press of the power button usually does one of two things: it either wakes the power bank up to start charging a connected device, or it lights up the LED indicators to show you how much juice is left. It's a handy feature for that quick check before you walk out the door.
However, for extended use or high-capacity devices, it's best to charge the power bank fully first. Using it straight out of the box is convenient for emergencies, but a full charge ensures you get the most out of your device.