Many physical injuries caused by vape battery explosions occur when debris from the shattered device is sent flying. He was rushed to the hospital with second-and third-degree burns. In a 2018 Cleveland case, a man’s spare vape battery combusted in his pocket, setting him on fire.A Florida man had to undergo surgery in 2018 for the second-and third-degree burn he sustained after his vape pen exploded in his pocket.In 2018, a woman from the San Francisco Bay Area suffered severe burns on her arm and side after her vape device’s spare batteries went up in flames in her purse.Several victims have sustained burns from vape battery explosions: A 2019 battery injury analysis from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reported that most of the burn cases they analyzed came from a combination of flames and chemical burns presumably caused by lithium salt. The chemicals in batteries can cause burns as well. BurnsĪn overheated battery in a vape user’s pocket can easily catch their clothes on fire, resulting in severe burns all over the body. Vape battery explosions can cause injuries ranging from broken bones to lost teeth to blindness.Ī 2017 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) report stated that battery explosion injuries are often severe because the batteries are usually close to the user’s body, especially the face. Types of Injuries Caused By Vape Battery Explosions The highly flammable liquid inside the battery reacts with oxygen, causing it to combust. Why Do Vape Batteries ExplodeĪ lithium-ion vape battery explodes when it becomes too hot. However, they pose a health risk in the unregulated vape device industry. In most electronic products such as cell phones and laptops, strict regulations make lithium-ion batteries relatively safe. The popular 18650 lithium-ion battery was intended for use in specific devices like power tools - not e-cigarettes. They allow manufacturers to make slim, lightweight products that last a long time between charging. Vape pens typically use lithium-ion batteries - the same batteries found in cell phones and laptops. This coil heats e-liquid, which becomes the aerosol (vapor) e-cigarette users inhale. Victims are already winning battery explosion lawsuits against irresponsible companies.Į-cigarettes rely on a battery to power the heating coil.Vapes often explode near vulnerable areas like the face and hands, worsening injuries.From 2015-2017, e-cigarette burns and explosion-related injuries resulted in more than 2,000 U.S.There is little regulation of the vape industry, especially regarding batteries.These injuries often cause lasting emotional and physical scars - however, more and more victims of vape battery explosions are successfully seeking justice and receiving the compensation they deserve. The e-cigarette market is not yet regulated for battery safety, increasing the likelihood of battery explosions.Įxploding vape batteries can cause serious injuries, including:

The Dangers of Vape Batteries and Explosions

Vape batteries