There's a new permanent fixture in Italian homes: the lithium battery. It's in the scooter parked in the hallway, the e-bike in the garage, the power bank on the bedside table, the cordless vacuum cleaner, and, increasingly often, in the photovoltaic system's storage unit. It's incredibly convenient, silent, and — in the vast majority of cases — safe. But when something goes wrong, it goes wrong fast.
Why it's being talked about so much now
This isn't a theoretical alarm. The Fire Department's 2026 fire prevention control plan specifically focuses on photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle charging points: technologies that are now widespread and introduce new risk scenarios, different from what our homes were designed for. And what applies to condominiums and businesses applies, on a smaller scale, to every home: the amount of energy stored within our four walls has never been so high.
What makes a lithium battery fire different
The key phenomenon is called thermal runaway: when a damaged, defective, or improperly charged cell starts to overheat, it triggers a chain reaction in nearby cells. The result is a fire that:
- Develops in a few moments, often with sudden bursts of flame, without the slow combustion phase we are used to;
- Does not need external oxygen to sustain itself, because the chemical reaction itself produces the gases that burn;
- Can reignite even after being apparently extinguished;
- Almost always involves live electrical components, making it dangerous to improvise with water.
The 5 prevention rules that make a difference
- Supervised charging. Charge e-bikes, scooters, and power banks when you are at home and awake, never at night or when you go out. Most incidents occur during charging.
- Original chargers. Only use the charger provided by the manufacturer or a certified compatible one. Cheap, non-original chargers are among the leading causes of overload.
- Watch for signs. Swollen battery, chemical odor, abnormal overheating, or a device that has fallen violently: stop using it and do not recharge it.
- Strategic placement. Do not charge on beds, sofas, or escape routes (the entrance hallway is the worst place for a charging scooter).
- Correct disposal. Spent batteries should go to dedicated collection points, never in general waste: fires in waste trucks almost always start this way.
What if it happens? You need the right tool
This is the point many discover too late: not all fire extinguishers are suitable for an electrical fire or a lithium battery fire. Intervening with the wrong tool can be ineffective or, worse, dangerous.
This is exactly why we designed Dexty V1.0 to cover fire classes A·B·C·F and, especially, lithium battery fires and electrical equipment up to 1,000V, with a biodegradable foam extinguishing agent. A single, compact device designed to be visible, covering the real-world scenarios of a 2026 home — including those that didn't exist ten years ago.
The Dexty 30-second checklist
- ✔ You only charge devices when you are present
- ✔ You use original or certified chargers
- ✔ Escape routes are clear of charging devices
- ✔ You have a working smoke detector
- ✔ You have a fire extinguisher suitable for electrical and lithium fires, within reach
Safety isn't paranoia: it's organization. And in the energy-filled home we live in today, being ready in the first few moments makes all the difference.
Do you have questions about fire protection in your home? Write to us at clienti@dexty.it — our team will be happy to assist you.
