Five tips to help avoid "vape" battery explosions

• Consider using vape devices with safety features such as firing button locks, vent holes, and protection against overcharging.
• Keep loose batteries in a case to prevent contact with metal objects. Don't let batteries come in contact with coins, keys, or other metals in your pocket.
• Never charge your vape device with a phone or tablet charger. Always use the charger that came with it.
• Don't charge your vape device overnight or leave it charging unattended.
• Replace the batteries if they get damaged or wet. If your vape device gets damaged and the batteries are not replaceable, contact the manufacturer.

FDA is aware of explosion events and is collecting data to address this problem. Please report your experiences to FDA. For a complete list of references, go to www.fda.gov/tobacco and search for "tips to help avoid vape battery explosions."

Tips to help avoid "vape" battery explosions

You may have heard that e-cigarettes, or "vapes," can explode and seriously injure people. Although they appear rare, these explosions are dangerous. The exact causes of such incidents are not yet clear, but some evidence suggests that battery-related issues may lead to vape explosions. The safety tips below may help you avoid a vape battery explosion. Please report a vape explosion or any other unexpected health or safety issue with a vape to the FDA.

What else can I do?

1. Until all vapes and vape batteries conform to strong and consistent safety standards, your best protection against vape battery explosions may be knowing as much as possible about your device and how to properly handle and charge its batteries.
2. Make sure you read and understand the manufacturer's recommendations for use and care of your device. If your vape did not come with instructions or you have further questions, contact the manufacturer.
3. Don't remove or disable safety features—like fire button locks or vent holes—that are designed to prevent battery overheating and explosions.
4. Only use batteries recommended for your device. Don't mix different brands of batteries, use batteries with different charge levels, or use old and new batteries together.
5. Charge your vape on a clean, flat surface, away from anything that can easily catch fire and someplace you can clearly see it—not a couch or pillow where it is more prone to overheat or get turned on accidentally.
6. Protect your vape from extreme temperatures by not leaving it in direct sunlight or in your car on a freezing cold night.