Evidence grade: A2 — Agency/institution source
⚠️ Danger — Do not charge it, puncture it, crush it, or try to remove it yourself. Stop using the device immediately, isolate it away from anything flammable, and hand it to the manufacturer, retailer, or a household hazardous-waste program. Swelling means the battery is damaged and is a potential fire hazard.
Effort: Low physical effort · 15–30 min to isolate and arrange handoff · non-flammable container, sand or kitty litter, protective gloves, eye protection
What swelling means
A swollen lithium-ion battery is a damaged battery. Fire department guidance is blunt: stop using and charging it at once. Damaged lithium batteries can burn intensely and release toxic gases. This article covers handling only — safe disposal routing is covered in Repair Lab C6.
Isolate it — if safe
If you can do so without touching the swollen cell itself, move the device away from anything combustible and place it in temporary isolation away from flammables — official guidance includes a non-flammable container with sand or kitty litter. Do not puncture, crush, bend, or disassemble the battery, and do not attempt to pry a swollen glued-in battery out of a device yourself.
Call for help
Contact the manufacturer, the retailer, or your local household hazardous-waste program for pickup or drop-off instructions. If the battery is smoking, hissing, hot, or on fire, evacuate the area, avoid the fumes, and call emergency services — do not try to manage a thermal runaway with a household extinguisher.
Safety & stop rules
Must stop if: the battery is hot, smoking, hissing, leaking, or deformed beyond mild swelling — evacuate and call emergency services rather than handling it.
Hand off to a pro if: the swollen battery is glued into a device, removal requires tools or heat, or you're unsure about any step — battery removal is professional or manufacturer work, never DIY.
PPE & ventilation: Protective gloves and eye protection for minimal external handling only. Ventilate the area or move the device outdoors if safe — but never block your exit route.
Honest limits
Isolation is a holding action, not a solution — the battery stays hazardous until a proper program takes it. Do not store a swollen battery indefinitely "until you get around to it."
Sources
- Los Angeles Fire Department, lithium-ion battery safety: https://lafd.org/lithiumion-battery-safety
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, frequent questions on lithium-ion batteries: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/frequent-questions-lithium-ion-batteries
Repair Lab · Release 1 · Evidence last checked September 30, 2026 · A project of AOJEL