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Every time you get on a flight, you hear the same announcement: Don’t pack lithium batteries in your checked luggage. Most people tune this message out. It sounds routine, almost automatic. But there’s a very real reason airlines repeat that warning. Lithium batteries can overheat, ignite, or fail without much warning. At 35,000 feet, that risk isn’t something airlines can afford to take lightly. A fire in the cargo hold is difficult to detect, hard to reach, and extremely dangerous. That’s why batteries are restricted, monitored, and treated with caution—because even a small failure can have serious consequences. What’s easy to forget is that those same batteries are now everywhere on the ground. They power phones, laptops, tools, and increasingly, the equipment used every day in commercial cleaning operations. While a janitorial closet isn’t an airplane cabin, the underlying risk is the same: Lithium batteries demand respect, awareness, and proper handling. A new era of batteries Lithium-ion batteries have become a staple in commercial cleaning. They power robotic floor scrubbers, ride-on machines, burnishers, and other equipment aimed at making work faster and more efficient. For many companies, switching from lead-acid to lithium seemed like an obvious choice: Less maintenance, faster charging, and longer run times. However, lithium batteries behave very differently from the batteries most cleaning professionals grew up with. Lead-acid batteries were heavy, slow to charge, and generally gave plenty of warning before something went wrong. Lithium batteries pack much more energy into a smaller space, and when they fail, they can fail quickly. The main concern regarding lithium batteries is the risk of thermal runaway. If a battery is damaged, overheated, charged improperly, or internally compromised, heat can build up quickly and cause it to catch fire. These fires burn hotter than typical electrical fires, emit toxic gases, and are hard to fully extinguish. Sometimes, lithium batteries can reignite hours or even days after the initial incident. Calculate risk into cleaning operations As cleaning companies adopt more automation and battery-powered machines, the presence of lithium batteries inside buildings continues to increase. The problem isn’t the equipment itself—it’s how batteries are handled once they’re inside facilities. Most lithium battery fires don’t start from a single dramatic failure. They occur because of everyday shortcuts. Batteries are charged in janitorial closets not designed for high-energy systems. Chargers get swapped or replaced with unapproved versions. Damaged batteries remain in use because they still “seem fine.” Charging happens overnight, unattended, next to cardboard, chemicals, or other combustible materials. Autonomous cleaning machines increase the risks. These units often return to charging docks automatically and recharge during off-hours. That’s convenient—but it also means charging happens when buildings are empty and issues might go unnoticed. For contractors operating robotic equipment in customer facilities, battery safety becomes a shared responsibility. Where the machine charges, how it’s protected, and who monitors the process are questions that need clear answers. Don’t underestimate small batteries When the topic of lithium battery fires comes up, most people think about large machines or robots. But smaller batteries—like the ones in backpack vacuums and cordless tools—deserve the same respect. These batteries are worn close to the body, charged often, and usually stored in tight spaces. While they’re smaller, they still hold a lot of energy. Damage from drops, heat, or the wrong charger isn’t always obvious, but it can lead to overheating or fire later—often during charging, not use. Practice preventative measures If your facility houses devices with lithium batteries, be sure to keep the lines of communication open with your insurance carriers and local fire marshals. They often want to know about battery certifications, charging locations, facility ventilation, and whether employees are trained to recognize fire warning signs. Current best practices emphasize the use of approved chargers, dedicated charging zones, fire-rated storage cabinets, battery management systems, and clear procedures for removing damaged batteries from service. Follow these safety tips from the U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Fire Protection Association: Purchase and use devices that are listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Store lithium-ion batteries and devices in dry, cool locations, limiting their quantity. Continuously monitor battery storage locations for flammable and toxic gases. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for storage, use, charging, and maintenance of lithium-ion batteries. Only use the battery that is designed for the device. Only use the charging cord that came with the device. Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged. Do not charge batteries at temperatures below 32 F (0 C) or above 105 F (40 C). Store devices and batteries away from anything that can catch fire. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on how to extinguish small battery fires Dispose of lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries at designated recycling facilities, not in trash or recycling bins. Considerations for an evolving technology Lithium batteries are powering the future of commercial cleaning. Although their use involves some risks, this doesn’t mean lithium batteries should be avoided; it just means they should be taken seriously. Maintain open communication with your manufacturer and adhere to approved safety standards, just as you do with all equipment you use. Cleaning companies and facilities that follow these practices will be far better positioned to protect their people, their clients, and their reputation as the battery industry continues to evolve.