CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Chesterfield Fire EMS are providing residents with safety tips regarding the fire risk of lithium-ion batteries. Officials said the batteries can overheat, catch fire and cause explosions if they experience thermal runaway -- which happens when the temperature in side the battery gets so hot that the lithium-ion cell can no longer dissipate heat and begins to uncontrollably self-heat. There are four main causes of thermal runaway: damage, electrochemical abuse from overcharging, extreme temperatures or an internal short-circuit. To reduce the risk of a lithium-ion battery fire, follow these tips from Chesterfield Fire: Choose only electronics certified by a nationally recognized laboratory that tests for safety. Many products sold online don't meet the proper standards Use only the chargers that come with a product Handle your electronics with care and if a battery becomes damaged or swells up, dispose of it immediately Store batteries away from direct sunlight and avoid leaving them in extreme heat or near anything flammable Do not leave large electronics plugged in overnight If your device starts making hissing noises, gets extremely hot or starts to emit an odor, stop using it immediately The department showcased several pictures of fires they have responded to involving lithium-ion batteries. (Credit: Chesterfield Fire EMS)(Credit: Chesterfield Fire EMS)(Credit: Chesterfield Fire EMS)(Credit: Chesterfield Fire EMS)(Credit: Chesterfield Fire EMS) Officials said old or damaged batteries cannot be disposed of in the regular trash. They need to be taken to the nearest battery recycling center. ...read more read less