Charging an e-bike or scooter safely in an apartment
E-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards run on lithium-ion batteries. When one fails, it can burn fast and hot, often while it's charging.
Charge it safely
- Stay nearby while it charges. Never charge it while you sleep or when you're out.
- Use the charger that came with it.
- Don't charge a phone under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch.
Stop using a battery that
- smells strange
- changes shape or color
- gets very hot
- leaks
If it catches fire
Get out, close the door behind you and call 911 from outside.
Common questions
Is it safe to charge an e-bike overnight?
No. Charge it while you're awake and nearby, and unplug it when it's done.
Rent your home? Get the free move-in safety checklist. Own or manage rentals? SaferResident gives every tenant a 20 minute course on this, built around your building.
Sources
- Micromobility: E-Bikes, E-Scooters and Hoverboards, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
- Lithium-Ion Battery Safety (tip sheet, PDF), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Lithium-Ion Battery Safety, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Battery Fire Safety, U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA)
Updated October 1, 2026. General safety information. It doesn't replace your building's safety systems, local codes or your lease. In an emergency, call 911.