Firefighters are encouraging people to think twice about where they store rechargeable batteries after a dog in Tulsa got ahold of one, chewed it and set its dog bed on fire.
Press play above to watch the video
The video shared by the Tulsa Fire Department shows the dog chewing not a toy but a portable battery meant to charge cellphones.
Then it sparks and explodes, starting a fire that caused significant damage.
The dogs and a cat that live in the home made it out safely through a dog door.
Fire officials warn that once these types of fire start, they are sometimes hard to stop because they are prone to reigniting.
To prevent something like this from happening to you:
- Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash.
- Recycling is always the best option. Take them to a battery recycling location or contact your community for disposal instructions.
- Do not leave them lying around like the one in the dog video.
- And stop using the battery if you notice an odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking, or odd noises.
If it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire.
If you don’t think it’s safe, call 911.