On February 2, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sent a memo and a “do’s and don’ts” flyer to all multifamily owners and agents on the increased risk of fires from electronic scooters and bikes. In the memo, HUD asks that housing providers post the flyer in prominent locations and periodically remind all staff and residents about these dangers and prevention tips through other communications. LeadingAge has worked closely with Congress and with HUD on their respective efforts to prevent fires in multifamily buildings.

For Electronic bikes and scooters, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends:

• Always being present when charging devices using lithium-ion batteries only using the charger that came with the device.
• Only use an approved replacement battery pack.
• Following the manufacturer’s instructions for proper charging and unplug the device when done.
• Never charging while sleeping.
• Never using these devices with a battery pack that has been modified/reworked by unqualified personnel or with re-purposed or used cells.
• Never throwing lithium batteries into the trash or general recycling, but taking them to a local battery recycler or hazardous waste collection center.