RACS is seeking urgent action by the government to prevent further deaths and injuries from the increasing number of fires caused by Lithium-ion batteries overheating and exploding.
As surgeons, we see the impact of these injuries including those that require surgery and intensive burn care. These injuries affect all groups of the community and can be prevented by tighter safety standards surrounding battery use, storage and product system design. These preventable injuries add to our society’s burden of injury as well as draining the economy.
RACS applauds the ACCC for seeking input on ways to reduce the significant fire and safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries overheating or exploding particularly when used, charged or stored incorrectly.