NEW YORK (PIX11) — Lithium-ion batteries have killed 17 New Yorkers in 2023, including a family of three killed in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights early Sunday morning, according to the FDNY.
Albertha West, the 81-year-old matriarch, was killed along with her 58-year-old son Michael and 33-year-old grandson Jameel. The FDNY said a lithium-ion battery caused the fire. Investigators recovered the charred remains of two electric scooters, which they say belonged to one of the family members.
PIX11 News found that non-certified lithium-ion batteries are easier to buy online than certified batteries. Some companies sell fake certification stickers.
As of September, all lithium-ion batteries sold in New York City must be UL certified. But without federal regulation, the city has no control over what is sold online.
“Retailers like Amazon and Walmart must stop selling devices that have not been certified as safe by national testing laboratories,” said FDNY Secretary Laura Kavanaugh. She added, “Food service apps like GrubHub and Uber Eats need to do more to ensure the safety of the employees who rely on these bikes for a living.”
Shane Hall, buyer at Bicycles NYC, recommends buying directly from a trusted retailer who will provide you with battery certification. When purchasing online, he strongly recommends not using third-party resellers.
“Rather than looking online to see if it will work with your bike, contact your bike manufacturer,” says Hall.
He urged consumers to never charge their phones overnight or unattended, and to stop using them if the case becomes swollen, cracked or dented. If in doubt, replace the battery. Do not repair. Also, make sure the battery is compatible with your bike.
“If you have a 24-volt bike and a 36-volt battery, you have a problem,” Hall says.
Bicycles NYC batteries are expensive, ranging from approximately $600 to $1000. Due to the high price, many customers choose the $200 batteries sold online by third-party resellers.
“The question is, is the money you save worth risking your life and potentially damaging your home and family?” Hall asked. “My answer is always no.”
Hall said he wants people to think of lithium-ion batteries like any other standard battery you use in your home.
“Common household batteries come in a variety of sizes and prices, but for some reason people don’t think that my e-bike battery needs to be specific to the application I’m using it for. “Hmm,” Hall said.
PIX11 News has reached out to Walmart, Grubhub and Uber Eats for statements regarding the FDNY’s comments.
A Walmart spokesperson said in a statement:
“Walmart has zero tolerance for fraudulent sellers or the sale of products with false claims. Like our customers, we provide our sellers and suppliers with accurate and honest descriptions of their products. When we identify false claims, we take steps to protect our customers and maintain their trust.”
Walmart spokesperson
GrubHub also responded to our request for comment, writing:
This is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the victims and everyone affected.
We have always strived to create a safer and more sustainable environment in New York City and have supported several initiatives to promote fire safety and access to certified equipment.
We are pleading with New York City and the U.S. Congress to provide safe charging hubs to our delivery partners, establish product safety standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and protect illegal and unregulated batteries that are widely purchased. We have repeatedly asked that concerns related to missing charging devices be addressed. Through online retailers.
We are surprised and disappointed by the Secretary’s comments, given our close partnership and earlier this year working with FDNY and city officials to strengthen fire prevention education and outreach efforts in New York City. ing.
No single company, manufacturer or organization is responsible for this problem; all relevant stakeholders must be part of the solution.
GrubHub spokesperson
PIX11 News also reached out to Amazon and Uber Eats for comment, but did not receive a response.