Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs: charging the big battery safely

A mobility scooter or powered wheelchair is a lifeline, and it carries one of the largest batteries in the whole house. It's also frequently charged in a bedroom or hallway, right where its owner sleeps or needs to pass to get out. That combination is worth a little care.

Not every scooter uses lithium-ion, many still use sealed lead-acid batteries, and the two charge differently, so the manufacturer's instructions always come first. But where a device does use lithium-ion, fire-service advice applies: these batteries can overheat or ignite if charged, used or handled incorrectly, or if damaged (Department of Veterans' Affairs [DVA], n.d.; Fire and Rescue NSW [FRNSW], n.d.).

Safe charging, step by step

• Follow the manual first. Different battery types need different routines; the device instructions and supplier advice take priority over any general tip.
• Use the right charger. The original charger or an approved replacement, never a cheap mismatched one.
• Charge away from the exit. Keep charging clear of doorways, hallways and the route the user relies on to leave. A scooter fire in an escape route can make it impassable within minutes (Association of Retirement Housing Managers [ARHM], n.d.).
• Don't charge unattended overnight unless the manufacturer specifically says it's safe to do so.
• Keep it clear and cool. Away from combustibles, out of direct sun, vents unobstructed.

Watch for the warning signs

Stop using and charging the device if you notice swelling, unusual heat, an odd chemical smell, hissing, smoke, or the battery no longer holding charge. Move it away from anything that can burn if it's safe to do so, and arrange a check with your dealer. A damaged or swollen battery should be replaced, not nursed along.

Used sensibly, a mobility scooter is a safe and life-changing bit of kit. A few simple habits, the right charger, the right spot, an eye on the warning signs, keep it that way for the person who depends on it.