LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Firefighters from across the Las Vegas Valley are warning parents and adults to be aware of what they buy this Black Friday, as first responders continue to get 911 calls with traumatic injuries from e-devices.
During a response to a 911 call, firefighters find that many parents and adults are surprised by the extent of the injuries after a e-device crash, according to Asst. Chief Randy Wilbanks of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue.
“We generally assume, ‘Oh, it’s a bicycle, it’s a scooter, it’s the same as when I was a kid riding a bike, and I fell off.’ Well, now we’ve introduced a lot more speed. And because of that speed, the injuries have now become more severe,” Wilbanks said.
First responders transport adults and children with injuries to the emergency room or a trauma center.
“If you think about your body, it contains all these organs. And when it comes to a pretty rapid stop where it gets hit, those organs then slosh around inside your body, which then creates the damaged organ,” Wilbanks said.
How can adults and children protect themselves?
First responders urge everyone to always wear a helmet, no matter their age. Too many riders do not.
“We’re seeing a lot of children not wearing helmets, not wearing knee pads and elbow pads. That’s how we were raised, with those types of protective equipment. So obviously, if you’re not wearing that type of equipment, you’re going to have more substantial injuries,” said Clark County Fire Dept. Chief Billy Samuels.
Riders must also follow the rules of the road.
“The common misperception is that because it’s a bicycle or it’s a scooter, you do not have to follow the applicable laws. And the expectation is that these vehicles follow the same laws that any driver in a vehicle has to follow on the streets,” Wilbanks said.
“Speed kills. The faster you go, the more injuries you’re going to have,” Chief Samuels said.
LITHIUM BATTERY DANGERS
Firefighters nationwide are seeing a rise in lithium battery fires from various e-scooter and e-bikes.
“Oftentimes these lithium-ion batteries go into what we call thermal runaway, and once it starts, it can’t be stopped. Sometimes once the battery is charged and the energy continues to flow, then the battery heats up. And once it can’t dissipate that heat fast enough, that’s when the battery will fail, and that’s when you’ll see the fires,” Wilbanks said.
It’s risky to use a charger or battery with damage.
“If it’s damaged, you need to dispose of it accordingly. Don’t try to charge and think, ‘oh, I can get one more charge out of this or one more use out of this.’ Dispose of it appropriately in the proper fashion,” Samuels said.
Lithium battery fires are on the rise from a range of devices that now utilize the technology.
To reduce fire risks, never leave charging devices unattended– even overnight.
“E-bikes aren’t any different than your power tools you have in your garage, or you’re charging your car or you’re charging your phones,” Samuels said.
“Especially at night when it’s unattended, there’s that potential. You’ve got to do your due diligence,” Samuels said, advising to turn off Christmas tree lights when you go to bed.
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