Table of Contents
Vaping or smoking electronic cigarettes has become increasingly popular. Many consider them a safer and healthier alternative to smoking regular cigarettes. As a law firm, weโve unfortunately seen cases where vape-related accidents led to injuries. That is why we spoke with experts on this matter and have compiled these essential tips for using and maintaining your vape batteries safely.
A Vape Or Electronic Cigarette Is Not A Toy And Should Not Be Treated As Such
We will start with a slight public service announcement. Many people vape, and even more people love to show off their vapes and electronic cigarettes. That is fine. However, a vape or electronic cigarette is not a toy and should not be treated as such. While it is true that no flame or spark is supposed to occur, vapes still get hot. How hot? Try several hundred degrees hot. That is how they heat the e-liquid and produce the vapor that you inhale.
Some vapes tend to explode. No, they are never supposed to do that, but a slight malfunction can cause a severe problem. There is supposed to be a protective shield between the heat and your batteries, which brings us to our first important subject:
The Difference Between Internal Battery Mods & External Battery Mods
Some vapes have batteries that are built into them. Don’t remove them, and when they fail, the mod is as useful as a paperweight. You might be wondering what a โmodโ is if you donโt vape yet or havenโt vaped for very long. A mod is a device that you connect to your tank or dripper to use for vaping. A tank or a dripper is what you put the vaping liquid into. Internal battery mods are simpler for beginners, so that is what most people new to vaping get.
They can come in the form of โpensโ or box mods. External battery mods can come in either a fat โpenโ mod or a box mod. Most external battery mods these days are box mods, as vape pens have been losing popularity recently.
This does not necessarily imply that they are perfectly square, as they can be many different shapes and sizes. External battery mods require additional batteries that you need to purchase separately to use with them. While we will talk about internal battery mods today as well, external battery mods will be our primary focus. The reason? While all batteries require safe handling, external batteries will be our primary focus because their removable nature introduces additional points of potential user error. This isnโt really because they are harmful in some way; it is just that you handle them more. At the same time, you shouldnโt be handling the internal batteries at all. Weโll cover that too, donโt worry.
Tip #1 โ Donโt Try To Modify Your Mod
Your vape mod or โbattery,โ as some people like to call it, was put together the way it was for a reason. A guy in Florida, a few years back, modified his vape to use AA batteries. The day after he did this, his vape exploded in his pocket and blew off a chunk of his leg.
A vape is assembled in a way that makes it function just right. Even a slight modification can create a significant risk of malfunction or injury. Basically, donโt play with it in ways the manufacturers did not intend for you to.
Tip #2 โ Keep An Eye On Your External Batteries
External batteries have a lot of energy drained from them when in use. Regular wear and tear is normal, but should not be ignored. Most people use 18650 batteries, but there are other types of vape batteries, ranging from larger to smaller.
It really depends on the type of vape you get. Most Smok mods take the 18650s. On the other hand, the I-joy Avenger takes 26650 batteries. The only real difference between the two is that 26650 batteries are a bit wider.
One of the most prominent aspects of vape batteries that people ignore is the battery wraps. This is the protective covering over the metal batteries. This coating is an essential component of the batteries, as it prevents them from grounding out on the metal inside a vape mod.
Some vape mods have protective pieces that are rubber or plastic inside the battery compartment. This does not mean you should put even partially bare batteries in those mods. When your battery wraps start to deteriorate, you can have them replaced or just replace the batteries themselves.
It is obviously cheaper just to replace the battery wraps. However, you should only do that to a point. As vape batteries age, they become a hazard, which we will explore shortly.
Tip #3 โ Batteries That Throw Sparks Are Bad
This is another aspect of paying attention to your vape batteries, but this time it doesnโt matter whether you have an internal or external battery mod. If your batteries or mod throws sparks, or you see mini โlightningโ for any reason, it is time to discard both. It might just be the external batteries if it is that type of mod, but it really is not worth the risk to find out. Why? Because if it is the mod itself, you are probably going to find out the hard way.
Batteries that throw sparks are a step away from โflaming out,โ as they say in the vaping community. A flameout can lead to an explosion or a fire. If a battery fails in this way, there is a significant danger of severe burns from both flames and leaking battery contents, which brings us to our next topic.
Tip #4 โ Avoid Leaking Batteries
If your batteries are not working properly or are visibly leaking, discard them. Leaking batteries pose a serious health and safety hazard, so never attempt to use one.
Tip #5 โ Do Not Leave Your Batteries Or Mod In A Hot Car
You might find it convenient not to bring your vape into work or college classes with you. However, it is extremely dangerous to leave your vape or vape batteries in your car. High temperatures inside a vehicle can cause vape batteries to overheat, leak, or even explode.
Always turn off your vape or remove the battery and bring it with you instead. Remember, vape batteries are far more sensitive to heat than everyday items like soda cans or aerosol sprays, so keeping them out of a hot car is essential for your safety.
Tip #6 โ Donโt Leave Your Vape On In Your Pocket
A lot of the new vape mods have safety cut-offs. This does not mean that they wonโt blow up in your pocket. How does this happen? Well, all vape mods have a trigger button that you push to get the mod to produce vapor.
Only a few are still activated by putting the vape to your lips and inhaling. Therefore, it is possible that you inadvertently press the trigger button while carrying it in your pocket. This scenario can happen if you wear tight jeans.
Some say tight pants are a vaperโs enemy. In reality, it does not matter how tight your pants are. That trigger button can be pushed simply by you sitting a certain way with the vape in your pocket. Many vape mods have locking features or can be turned off. If you are going to put your vape in your pocket, then pick one of those two options and do it.
Back to how this happens. If you are continually triggering your mod in your pocket, then it is getting hot. It is also creating a strain on the batteries. Either of these factors can cause the batteries to explode. It might not even blow up in your pocket; it might explode on the next hit you take from it. People have legitimately lost fingers (and their entire hand) to such an occurrence. So either donโt stick your vape in your pocket, lock it, or turn it off first.
Tip #7 โ Charge Your Batteries The Right Way
Although some mods have a USB port that can be used for charging, many experts recommend using a separate, external battery charger as a safer and more effective method.
What is the correct way to charge external vape batteries? In a battery charger, of course. You can buy these battery chargers at the same location where you bought the mod, the tank/dripper, and the batteries themselves. You can choose from models that charge one, two, four, or six batteries at a time. It all depends on your needs and preferences.
Using an external charger charges your batteries more efficiently and helps them last longer than charging them in the mod. Additionally, when you combine two or more batteries, they become โmarriedโ batteries. Charging them together helps keep their power balanced, reducing the risk of one battery overcharging while the other lags behind. Batteries that arenโt paired, or โunmarried,โ have a higher chance of causing problems, including overheating or other safety hazards.
Tip #8 โ Store Your Batteries Properly
We touched on this with the part about not keeping them in your car. Vape batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. For specific temperature ranges, consult the battery manufacturer’s recommendations for optimal performance. A vape shop owner from Florida told us that he actually leaves his vape at home on days when the temperature is above 85 degrees, and he knows heโll be outside.
The reason for this is apparent: heat. Donโt let the cold fool you, either, though, as temperatures below 65 degrees can damage your batteries. Freezing temperatures can cause your vape batteries to malfunction permanently. While they might not blow up in that instance, it still costs you money, as vape batteries are typically between $8 and $15 each.
Tip #9 โ Keep An Eye Out For Defects
Vape mods, tanks, drippers, and batteries can occasionally have factory defects. If you notice a damaged or non-functioning battery, return it to the shop where you bought it. Many vape shops do not handle returns themselves, so itโs important to check their return policy before making a purchase. The product should include a phone number that allows you to call to return the item and receive a refund.
The experienced team of e-cig/vape battery explosion attorneys at Arash Law can help you through your case if you were injured due to a defect in a vape or electronic cigarette product. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation. You wonโt pay any attorneyโs fees unless compensation is obtained. Please note you may still be responsible for certain case-related expenses, such as filing fees.
