Vapes may cost less than cigarettes but they're still a fire risk, and they still contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue says.
The service's top tips for safe use include buying e-cigarettes and vapes from reputable retailers and not buying counterfeit goods, as fire risks around vaping often come from counterfeit, damaged or faulty products. It says to follow the instructions for use carefully and pay close attention to any warnings supplied with the product, always make sure e-liquids are out of reach of children and pets, and never use vapes or e-cigarettes close to medical oxygen or where emollient creams or airflow mattresses are being used.
Much of the risk relates to batteries and how they're charged. The service says if your device came with a charger, only use that charger; never leave the device charging unattended or overnight; don't leave items continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete, usually shown by a light on the device; and don't cover batteries that are on charge, in case of overheating.
It adds that direct sunlight or freezing temperatures can damage the battery, so avoid storing, using or charging batteries in these extreme temperatures, for example in a car. Batteries should be protected against being damaged, crushed or punctured and not immersed in water.
If a battery gets unusually hot, starts to bulge or starts hissing, stop using it immediately and leave it in a safe place until it can be disposed of properly. If a device does catch fire or explode, don't try to tackle the fire yourself — get out of the property, away from the device, and call 999.
On disposal, the service says vapes and e-cigarettes cannot go into your regular rubbish or recycling bin, as the battery could be damaged and start a fire. By law, shops that sell these devices must allow you to drop off your old ones for them to dispose of safely, and used devices can be taken to any major vape retailer or specialist shop.