Each Christmas, the UK sees a huge surge in disposable battery sales—they power everything from festive light-up decorations to new children’s toys and all kinds of handy household gadgets.
While they help keep the holiday magic alive, it’s important to remember that batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, can pose a serious fire risk if they’re not handled and disposed of correctly. Even when they seem fully drained, they can still spark, ignite, or leak harmful chemicals.
Batteries should never be thrown into your general waste or household rubbish bins. When crushed in waste trucks or compactors, or exposed to heat, they can easily catch fire—putting waste workers, collection vehicles, and local facilities at risk.
