New Zealand insurer AMI is urging households to reassess how they charge and dispose of lithium-ion batteries, after new data revealed unsafe practices are fuelling a rise in costly and potentially deadly fires.
AMI’s claims data shows 37% of battery-related insurance incidents occurred during charging, with each incident carrying an average cost of about $33,000. The findings are supported by Ipsos research commissioned by AMI in March 2026, which surveyed 1,500 New Zealanders, with a margin of error of ±3.00.
AMI executive general manager for claims Steph Ferris (pictured) said the scale of the problem is largely driven by habits many people do not recognise as dangerous.
“Over one third (37%) of battery-related insurance claims occurred during charging, and these incidents carried an average cost of around $33,000. Beyond the financial impact, fires caused by lithium-ion batteries can also put lives at risk and caus e irreversible damage to treasured personal items. That’s a significant concern, especially when so many of these incidents are preventable,” Ferris said.
The research found 65% of New Zealanders have left devices charging overnight, while 64% have charged devices without supervision. Younger people appear particularly exposed – half of Gen Z respondents reported charging devices on a bed or sofa, compared with 28% of all respondents.
“We know New Zealanders rely heavily on lithium-powered devices, but many don’t realise how common unsafe charging habits have become,” Ferris added.
Lithium-ion batteries are now present in nearly every portable electronic device in the average home. AMI’s research found 86% of New Zealand households have a mobile phone powered by such a battery, followed by laptops at 78%, power tools at 56%, and power banks at 52%. When asked how many lithium-ion batteries they owned, 41% of respondents estimated between one and five, 22% between six and 10, and 21% said they were unsure.
“When you add up phones, laptops, earbuds, vacuum cleaners, power tools, toys, and e-mobility devices, the number of lithium-ion batteries in a single home can easily reach into the dozens. The more batteries we have around us, the more important it is to handle them safely,” Ferris said.
AMI’s claims data also points to seasonal transitions as periods of heightened risk. While battery-related fire claims tend to peak in January, incidents also rise when households shift routines during seasonal changes – whether adjusting heating and cooling, reactivating stored devices, or altering charging behaviours. Temperature fluctuations during these periods place added stress on batteries, making them more susceptible to overheating or failure.
“Batteries don’t cope well with rapid changes in temperature,” Ferris said. “Spring, autumn, and the weeks on either side of summer and winter are when we see people shift routines, and those small changes can increase the risk of a battery malfunctioning.”
AMI’s research also exposed significant gaps in how New Zealanders dispose of batteries. While 69% of respondents said they had never thrown a battery into general household waste, nearly a third had done so or were unsure.
The findings follow continued reports of lithium-ion battery-related fires breaking out inside waste collection trucks. Recent incidents include a landfill fire in Waikato in February believed to have been caused by wrongly disposed lithium-ion batteries.
“We really want to emphasise that lithium-ion batteries should never go in household rubbish,” Ferris said. “We’re still seeing fires in rubbish trucks and transfer stations because of incorrect disposal, and nearly a third of people who threw them away simply didn’t realise it was the wrong thing to do. Proper recycling isn’t just recommended – it prevents fires and saves lives.”
Fire and Emergency New Zealand community education manager Tom Ronaldson reinforced the urgency of proper handling, noting the batteries themselves are not inherently dangerous but can become so when damaged, mishandled, or improperly discarded.
“When lithium-ion battery fires do occur, they can happen very quickly,” Ronaldson said. “Therefore, it is important that if your battery is emitting vapour or unusual sounds, you evacuate immediately and call 111.”
Ronaldson advised people to always use the correct charger for their device, avoid charging on soft surfaces, and replace any battery that feels hot or appears damaged. He also reminded the public that batteries must be taken to an approved collection point or recycling centre and cannot be placed in household rubbish or recycling.
