We heard that one residential building in Dubai has issued an order to their tenants for not bringing e-scooters inside their apartments for safety reasons.
An administrator for a group of residential buildings in Al Barsha who requested not to disclose his name said that the directive came from the management ” following complaints from tenants that scooters crowd corridors and common areas in shared accommodation.
Some also fear the e- scooter poses a fire risk, mainly when left charging overnight”.
However, the building administrator noted, “There have been few instances – not in our building – of -e-scooter battery sparking and catching fire.”
Current Demand
However, RoadSafetyUAE noted that “the suitable infrastructure is developing, but it does not match the current demand and use of e- scooters.”
Thomas Edelmann, founder, and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, said, ” We see all ages of e- scooter users. We see e- scooters used practically on all surfaces, like roads, pedestrian walkways, and bike lands. We observe careless users; even on dedicated zones at night, many e-scooters go without light, and only a minority wear helmets, protective gear, and reflective safety vests”.
Fire hazard
Besides, other safety experts have also cautioned against using substandard e- scooters and charges that are readily available online. E-scooters are powered by lithium-ion batteries that can overheat, catch fire, and can cause an explosion, significantly when they are damaged or manufactured defectively.
However, there is no available data on e- scooters catching fire; there have been many instances of e- scooter batteries overheating and exploding.
Moreover, safety experts explain that “lithium-ion batteries are organized to contain an enormous amount of energy in a minimal space. Hence, when damaged or not properly maintained, the battery can overheat”.
If one cell is overheated, a process called ‘thermal runaway’ could happen and can cause a spark or chemical reaction leading to an outburst.
However, according to experts, electric vehicle batteries, including those used for e- shooters, remain far safer and cause fewer accidents than fires caused by heating, cooking, or smoking.
Make safety a priority
E-scooter riders must always keep safety a priority. Here are different tips from various sources for diminishing the risk of fire when charging an e- scooter:
- Never change overnight, while you are asleep or out.
- Stay away from substandard e-cooters and chargers that are readily available online.
- Install smoke alarms when you charge your batteries
- Use the correct charger for every battery
- Buy something other than cheap and knock-off replacement lithium batteries, and buy from reputable sellers only.
- Keep an eye out for warning signs that your battery might be failing and becoming a fire risk.
- Unplug your father once the battery has finished charging.
