SPENCER, Mass. – The Spencer Fire Department is sharing safety tips for proper care and charging of lithium-ion batteries and warning about the fire danger they can pose.

Spencer fire crews responded to a kitchen fire last week started by a lithium-ion battery that had been charging for a week.

Fire Chief Robert Parsons said these batteries are in cellphones, laptops, electric tools and even tv remotes. To avoid overheating, Parsons said never use off-brand charging products and take batteries off the chargers once they are charged.

"Last year, we had a girl in town with an Apple laptop where the battery blew up on her,” Parsons said. “She was using an improper cord she bought online.”

Parsons also noted the type of material used in these batteries makes them extremely sensitive to defects, and if they do start a fire, they're much harder for crews to put out.

"If there is a defect in the battery, it will create heat,” Parsons said. “The heat will build up until it bursts into flames and things like that. Lithium-ion batteries are the way of the future, but it’s also very, very dangerous because you can’t put them out."

Parsons said fire departments across the country are reporting similar cases, especially with e-bike chargers.