Burns caused by devices with lithium batteries are requiring hospitalization.
That’s according to Dr. Robert Schulz, of Straub Medical Center’s burn unit.
Schulz said some patients have come in with third-degree burns “that require, if not grafting, at least a month in the hospital.” Electric scooters, bikes, hoverboards, known as micro-mobility devices, have also caused house fires.
Hawaii Island firefighters participated in a training course earlier this year to tackle the threat. Christina Baxter, a subject matter expert from the company Hazard 3, conducted the training.
Baxter showed firefighters a horrifying video of people in an elevator. One person walked in carrying an electric scooter just before the doors closed. The scooter suddenly started to emit smoke, followed by a flash and flames.