Electrical safety warnings issued after Novi Sad basement fire

Following a fire in a basement in Novi Sad that injured four people and led to the evacuation of 32 residents, engineer Branko Zrnić has issued warnings regarding electrical safety and battery charging.

Zrnić advises against using extension cords for high-power appliances such as radiators, air heaters, or other electric heaters, noting that domestic installations are often not dimensioned for consumers requiring 2 or 3 kW. He emphasizes that chargers should have the correct power and a stable connection; if a charger becomes hot after a battery is fully charged, it is likely defective and should be replaced.

Regarding lithium-based batteries for electric scooters, bikes, or phones, the engineer warns that allowing batteries to discharge completely to the 'red indicator' can cause internal heating and short circuits, potentially leading to explosions during recharging. While a warm battery is normal, a hot battery indicates it must be replaced. Additionally, users are advised to clean dust from air heaters before the cold season to prevent overheating caused by blocked fans.