Halloween and Bonfire Night warning issued to vapers over potentially dangerous habit

Image by Lindsay Fox from Pixabay

The nights are darker, the air’s colder and the country’s about to smell of bonfires again as Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night approach. But if you’re a vaper, there’s one thing you might want to keep well away from the flames this year.

Experts at Go Smoke Free have warned that e-cigarettes and high temperatures don’t mix particularly well, mainly because of the lithium-ion batteries inside them.

Whether you’re heading to a fireworks display or having a few people over for a bonfire in the garden, it’s worth being a little more careful about where you put your vape.

Warmth and vapes are a bad combination
You know that comforting heat on your hands when you’re standing by a fire? It might feel great for you, but your vape is better off somewhere else.

Lithium-ion batteries can become dangerous when exposed to excessive heat, particularly if they’re already damaged. In serious cases, a battery can overheat, release smoke or catch fire, and it doesn’t necessarily mean dropping your vape into the bonfire. Leaving it somewhere that gets very hot, such as close to a firepit, isn’t a good idea either.

The advice is fairly simple. Keep your vape away from bonfires, fireworks and other heat sources, and don’t leave it sitting somewhere that’s getting unusually warm.

Check your vape before heading out
Before wrapping up and heading out to watch the fireworks, have a quick look at your device. It doesn’t take long, and you may spot something you hadn’t noticed before.

If the casing is cracked, the battery looks swollen or the device has been getting unusually hot, don’t use it.

It’s also worth being careful with cheap devices from sellers you don’t recognise. A vape might look perfectly normal from the outside, but that doesn’t tell you much about the quality of the battery or how safely it’s been made.

Look for a reputable seller and check that the device has the appropriate product information and safety markings.

Leaky liquids and bad timing
Another thing to check is whether your vape is leaking. Some e-liquids contain ingredients that can burn under the right conditions, although the main fire concern with most devices is still the battery. Either way, you don’t want liquid leaking into the battery compartment or charging port.

If you notice a leak, stop using the device until you’ve found out where it’s coming from. Simply wiping the outside isn’t going to fix a damaged tank or a problem inside the vape.

Charging is worth thinking about as well, particularly if you’re rushing to get ready.

Trying to squeeze in a quick charge in the car on the way to the fireworks might seem convenient, but it’s better to charge your vape somewhere dry and away from anything flammable, using the correct charger.

Don’t leave it charging unattended or overnight, and unplug it once it’s finished.

Disposables aren’t off the hook either
Disposable vapes contain batteries too, even though you don’t normally have to think about charging them, and an empty device can still be dangerous if it’s crushed, damaged or exposed to high temperatures.

Don’t throw used vapes into a bonfire or leave them beside a firepit. They shouldn’t go into ordinary household bins either, as damaged lithium-ion batteries can cause fires during waste collection and processing.

Instead, take them to a suitable vape or electrical recycling point. It might mean keeping hold of the device until you get home, but it’s much better than leaving it at the event or putting it in the wrong bin.

A spokesperson at Go Smoke Free said: “When you’re standing around a bonfire, you’re probably not paying much attention to where you’ve put your vape. You might leave it on a table next to the firepit, put it down while you’re eating or just keep it in your pocket all evening.

“But these devices have lithium-ion batteries inside and may overheat, so keep them away from the fire, even if it’s just a small one in somebody’s garden. If it starts to feel warmer than it should, it could be a sign that it’s too close.

“You should also have a quick look at your vape before heading out, especially if you’ve dropped it earlier. Check for cracks and deformation in your device, and if something looks suspicious, don’t use it.

Another thing people usually don’t think about is what to do when they’ve finished a disposable vape. It still has a battery inside, so it’s best to take it home with you and find somewhere that collects used vapes for recycling.”