My vacuum nearly killed me & my daughter, I thank God we weren’t asleep when it burst into flames – it cost us thousands
A MUM has been left horrified after her vacuum cleaner exploded in her garage.
Denise Graovac said the fire has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to her home in Surrey.
Denise’s 24-year-old daughter Sophie, who has autism, was home alone earlier this month when she heard an “explosion”.
She rushed to the garage where she heard the blast had come from to see what was happening – and found there were “flames and smoke everywhere”.
Sophie immediately called 999 and the local fire brigade arrived – but not before the blaze wreaked catastrophic damage.
Denise, who is retired, claims firefighters informed her that the re-chargeable lithium battery in her handheld vacuum had likely exploded.
The mum-of-three, 66, said: “It’s just so incredibly scary. People need to know they have ticking time bombs in their homes.
“I’ve had this vacuum for years and my daughter had used it earlier that day.
“There were no signs anything was wrong with it.”
However, after the explosion the family was left with thousands of pounds worth of damage as home appliances had been caught in the flames.
She added: “But now, our garage is completely destroyed. In it, our washing machine, our tumble dryer – my husband’s computer equipment.
“We’ve been without heating and water for the past week – just when it’s gotten really cold. And the soot damage has gone all through the house.
“The garage is an internal one so the fire could have spread into where we live.
“If we had been asleep? We could have lost our lives. We could have lost the whole home.
“So it could have been worse. Thankfully, we are all okay and the fire was contained.”
Denise and her family have lived in their home for 30 years – so she says she would have been “devastated” to lose it.
Lithium Battery Fires
Check Fire UK has revealed how Lithium-ion batteries can catch on fire and how to prevent it form happening to you.
These batteries can be prone to damage, and damage can be caused in a number of ways such as overheating, crushing, malfunction, penetration, damaged devices, short circuit but the main cause of damage is over charging.
The damage can cause cells in the battery to overheat and when it reaches 60°C large amounts of toxic and flammable gases are released and the cells enter an uncontrollable, self-heating state known as thermal runaway.
The flammable gasses then burst the battery cell and causes them to ignite.
To prevent lithium batteries form overheating and catching fire Check Fire UK has offered preventative measures to do.
Choose quality products
When purchasing devices or batteries, opt for reputable brands and suppliers. High-quality products are more likely to meet safety standards and undergo rigorous testing, reducing the chances of a malfunction.
Avoid overcharging
Many modern devices have built-in safety features to prevent overcharging, but it’s still essential that devices are unplugged once they’ve reached a full charge. Avoid charging your device overnight or leaving it plugged in for extended periods.
Keep an eye on temperature
Extreme heat or cold can lead to battery malfunctions. To prevent overheating, avoid exposing your devices to direct sunlight, and don’t leave them in hot cars during summer. Similarly, using your device in extremely cold temperatures can reduce battery life and potentially cause issues.
Prevent physical damage
Protecting your devices from physical damage is another key aspect of fire prevention. Avoid dropping, puncturing, or crushing devices with lithium-ion batteries. A commonly asked question is ‘Can lithium-ion batteries leak’? In a nutshell, yes – even minor damage to the battery casing can lead to leakage or fires.
Regular inspections
Perform routine inspections of your devices to check for any signs of wear and tear. Look for swollen batteries, cracks, or other abnormalities, as these can all pose hazards. If you notice any issues, consult the manufacturer or a professional technician for advice on replacement or repair.
Battery storage
Proper storage is essential in preventing lithium-ion battery fires. When storing spare batteries or devices, keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Ensure they are stored in a manner that prevents physical damage or short circuits.
Now, she’s tasked with finding an emergency plumber and electrician to get things up and running again – and speaking to insurance about all the damage that has been caused.
“I have no idea how long it will take to fix everything,” Denise said.
“But there’s thousands of pounds worth of damage. We just had a new garage door. There’s all the computer stuff…
“It’s not just the fire that causes damage. It’s the smoke and the soot and the water damage from putting out the fire.
“You’re hearing about these batteries exploding all the time nowadays. It’s worrying. People need to know they can’t trust these things.”
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service was approached for comment.