The Office of the Fire Commissioner has determined a fire in the RM of Piney last Wednesday night was caused by an overheated computer.

The Piney Fire Department got the alarm around 8:00 p.m. for a residence southeast of Sundown, one mile north of the Canada-U.S. border. By the time they arrived, the home was a pile of rubble.

The Office of the Fire Commissioner has determined the fire was caused by an overheated laptop computer that ignited nearby combustibles.

There were no injuries however a pet dog perished. The loss is estimated at $300,000. The home was insured.

Health Canada has just put out an alert about overheating batteries. With the holiday season approaching, it says it has received more than 100 consumer reports over the last year involving batteries, everything from overheating to starting fires. A product safety officer says they tend to see more issues with lithium-ion batteries. He suggests keeping battery operated items like computers away from objects like couches and not to leave home while charging batteries.

When replacing button batteries, make sure that used batteries are discarded quickly and properly
Lithium-ion (also known as Li-ion) batteries
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

The use of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in consumer products is very common and they are generally considered safe to use. But as with any energy storage device, they carry safety risks, including overheating, fires, and explosions. Lithium-ion batteries are more susceptible to being damaged than other types of batteries and can become hazardous in certain conditions. Take precautions when using, charging and storing these batteries.

Below is part of the Health Canada advisory:

Lithium-ion batteries are found in many electronic devices, such as:

laptops
cell phones
power tools
hoverboards
vaping products (e-cigarettes)

Charging your lithium-ion battery

Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch fire or explode if they are not charged in a safe manner. Follow these precautions to help minimize risks associated with charging your lithium-ion battery:

Allow batteries to come to room temperature before charging
Never attempt to charge a battery in below freezing temperatures
Do not exceed the recommended charging time
Do not charge your device on soft surfaces, such as a couch or bed. Soft surfaces can trap heat around the battery
Use your battery charger in a place you can keep an eye on it in case it overheats
Use the charger that came with your device. If you need to buy or replace a charger, make sure the voltage and current are compatible with your device
Make sure to use a charger that has one of the recognized Canadian certification marks, such as CSA, cUL or cETL. These marks indicate that the products are assessed to the required Canadian electrical safety standards. Chargers that do not meet the required electrical safety standards may cause electric shock and fire hazards for consumers. For more information on certification marks, visit your provincial or territorial Electrical Safety Authority.
Do not use uncertified chargers.