Last week, my friend’s house burned to the ground. The source of the fire was a lithium battery stored inside its case, located in his roofed front porch. He discovered the fire just as it was starting and emptied his fire extinguisher onto it—but it was no use. The flames quickly spread, and within five minutes, the entire house was engulfed. By the time the fire department arrived—only nine minutes later—there was nothing left to save. His family of four escaped with just the clothes on their backs. Tragically, their cat perished.
Efoil battery fires happen more often than we like to admit, and it's time we start talking openly about the risks. We all love this sport, and many of us have brand loyalty that may prevent us from acknowledging these hazards or sharing incidents. As far as I know, there are no formal statistics on efoil battery fires, but anecdotally, they seem far too common.
Understanding Lithium Battery Runaway Fires
A lithium battery fire is not a typical flame you can easily extinguish. What makes these fires especially dangerous is a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. This occurs when a battery cell becomes unstable—due to overcharging, damage, or manufacturing defects—and the internal temperature rises rapidly. This can lead to a self-sustaining chemical reaction, releasing flammable gases and creating intense heat. Once initiated, thermal runaway can cause the battery to ignite or even explode, and the resulting fire can reach temperatures of over 1,000°F (538°C). These fires are incredibly difficult to control, and in many cases, conventional fire extinguishers are ineffective.
The battery that caused the fire wasn’t from my friend’s efoil. It was a similar-sized lithium battery made by a U.S.-based watercraft company. The brand is irrelevant. The reality is that all lithium batteries, regardless of who manufactures them, are susceptible to runaway fires under the right (or wrong) conditions.
What You Should Do Right Away
Never store your battery near people or valuable property. NEVER store your battery in your home, office, or vehicle. If you live in a climate that doesn't have freezing temperatures or extreme heat, it may be possible to store your battery safely in a cool, shaded area—away from your home and protected from the elements. A standalone shed could be an ideal storage solution.
While there are plenty of advertised products like fireproof cases or fire blankets, I'm not familiar with anything that can completely withstand the intense thermal runaway fire (and possible explosion) of the efoil-size lithium battery. That said, some of the solutions mentioned—as well as storing your battery inside a grill, ammo box, or other metal enclosure—might buy you precious time to react.
How to Protect and Maintain Your Efoil Lithium Battery
Always handle your Efoil battery with care! Avoid dropping or striking the battery. Before every ride, inspect the battery for any signs of damage, including swelling, cracks, or corrosion around the terminals. If anything looks unusual, do not use the battery and contact your efoil rep.
Monitor the battery temperature during and after use—an overheating battery may indicate a serious issue. Always charge the battery using only the manufacturer-provided charger and follow all charging instructions carefully. Charging with non-approved equipment can lead to overcharging, short circuits, or battery failure.
Additional tips:
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Store your battery in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and flammable materials.
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Avoid fully discharging the battery; try to keep it between 20%–80% charged when storing for extended periods.
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Never leave your battery unattended while charging.
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Keep connectors clean and dry to prevent short circuits or connection issues.
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If the battery becomes submerged in saltwater, rinse it with fresh water and dry it thoroughly before handling or charging.
Below are some solutions used by fellow efoil riders, including my own (some solutions may be better than others, judge for yourself). If you have a product or practice that works for you, please share it. Let’s look out for each other and help reduce the risk.
STAY SAFE, FRIENDS!
