Fire department advises Calgarians to be aware of lithium battery dangers

Calgary fire officials are reminding residents to be aware of the risk posed by lithium-ion batteries and the "large amount of energy they contain in a small space."

The CFD says while the power cells are safe if used properly, they are prone to overheating and catching fire if they're misused. Officials say the number of lithium battery-caused fires has increased by 150 per cent since last year.

Fire officials say those dangerous circumstances occur when they are not used, charged or stored properly.

"CFD is reminding all Calgarians to buy, store and charge items with lithium-ion batteries safely," said Chief Steve Dongworth in a release.

"Please ensure that you are aware of the safety tips and that you know how to charge and dispose of these batteries properly."

Other advice includes:

More information about lithium battery safety can be found online.