No matter how much dogs love bones, toys, and treats, they also have a habit of chewing on things they shouldn’t. From shoes to furniture, and sometimes dangerous household items, curiosity often wins.
Sadly, this instinct can sometimes lead to more than damaged belongings. It can put both pets and homes in serious danger.
That’s exactly what happened in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when one unsuspecting pup sank his teeth into a phone charger with a lithium-ion battery. To him, it seemed like just another plaything, but it quickly turned into something far more hazardous.
When the incident unfolded, no one was home to warn him that this small device was far riskier than any bone he’d ever chewed.
The Moment Disaster Struck
Tulsa Fire Department from Oklahoma shared a video of an incident that quickly spread across social media and news outlets, drawing nationwide attention.
The footage begins with one of the dogs carrying a phone charger with a lithium-ion battery in his mouth. He hops onto a mattress, chewing eagerly, while his companion relaxes on the couch in plain view of the camera.
But the seemingly harmless play ends in an instant. Sparks burst as the charger suddenly explodes, igniting the mattress beneath him. Startled, the dog drops the charger, but the flames have already taken hold.
The frightened dogs retreat, barking frantically at the spreading fire, but their warnings do nothing to stop it. Realizing the danger, they escape the room through a dog door. Within moments, firefighters arrive to tackle the blaze.
“We responded to a house fire in May that was caused by a damaged lithium-ion battery. While the home was significantly damaged, their two dogs and cat escaped the home uninjured through a dog door,” the Tulsa Fire Department captioned the video.
Fortunately, the pets made it out safely. Still, the outcome could have been devastating without the dog door. Had a person been asleep inside, survival would have been unlikely. This incident serves as a powerful reminder to keep hazardous objects out of reach of curious pets to prevent accidental house fires.
The Hidden Danger Of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Fire crews acted quickly to extinguish the fire, but the home still suffered significant damage. Thankfully, no lives were lost.
Recognizing the need to raise awareness, Andy Little, public information officer for the Tulsa Fire Department, spoke about the risks linked to lithium-ion batteries.
“Lithium-ion batteries are known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space, however when this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gasses, and even lead to explosions,” Little said.
He noted that several factors can trigger such events, including overheating, overcharging, using the wrong charging equipment, or physical damage like a dog’s sharp teeth.
Because pets can’t understand the dangers, the duty falls on owners to safeguard their homes. People everywhere must remain cautious, as lithium-ion battery fires are becoming increasingly common.
“Let us work together to prevent lithium-ion battery-related fires and keep our homes and communities safe,” Little said in the end.