St. Louis fire chief outlines lithium-ion battery fire risks after nationwide magnetic charger recall

Local warning follows a federal recall affecting thousands of portable wireless chargers

St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson is urging residents to treat lithium-ion batteries as a common household fire risk, noting that overheating can trigger rapid ignition and, in some cases, explosions. The reminder comes as federal regulators announced a recall of about 13,200 magnetic wireless chargers sold at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls after reports that the devices can explode while in use, creating fire and burn hazards.

The recalled products are Isla Rae magnetic wireless chargers, model RM5PBM, sold nationwide between June 2024 and November 2025 in white, pink and purple. The remedy offered is a refund, and the recall notice warns consumers to stop using the chargers immediately and to follow proper disposal pathways for lithium-ion devices rather than placing them in household trash.

Why lithium-ion battery failures can escalate quickly

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used across consumer electronics and tools because they store significant energy in compact form. Fire safety officials and battery-safety organizations describe a failure mode known as “thermal runaway,” in which overheating can become self-sustaining and lead to fire, venting, and explosive rupture. Risks increase when batteries are damaged, exposed to extreme temperatures, manufactured with defects, paired with incompatible chargers, or charged improperly.

Jenkerson said batteries are not limited to phones and laptops, pointing to cordless power tools, e-bikes and electric vehicles as additional everyday sources of lithium-ion cells.

What local firefighters say drives preventable incidents

In St. Louis-area fire response, officials emphasize that many battery-related fires can be avoided through basic charging and handling practices. Jenkerson highlighted that while many modern phones and laptops include battery management systems intended to reduce overcharging risks, other products—particularly some tool batteries and aftermarket power products—may not provide the same protections.

• Do not overcharge batteries; unplug devices once fully charged.
• Do not leave chargers operating unattended for extended periods.
• Stop using and dispose of batteries that appear swollen or damaged.
• Use only manufacturer-recommended chargers and avoid incompatible or low-quality replacements.

Safety, disposal and certification: what consumers can check

Fire-safety campaigns in the U.S. increasingly advise residents to choose devices and replacement batteries that are third-party certified to recognized safety standards for their category—especially for higher-energy products such as e-bikes, scooters and large-capacity power banks. Proper end-of-life handling is also central to prevention: lithium-ion batteries can ignite if punctured or crushed in garbage and recycling streams, so communities often route them to household hazardous waste or designated battery recycling programs.

For St. Louis households, the chief’s guidance is practical: charge deliberately, monitor batteries for warning signs, and treat damaged packs and recalled products as immediate hazards that should be removed from use and handled through appropriate disposal channels.