The Hidden Fire Risk Sitting in Your Office Cupboard

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Most small businesses have a few spare laptops sitting in storage. They’re kept for onboarding, backups, or the day something breaks.

That’s sensible. But it’s also how ageing lithium-ion batteries get forgotten.

Lithium-ion batteries are safe in normal use, but they degrade over time. When a device sits unused for months, is stored in warm spaces, or gets knocked during an office move, faults can develop quietly — and in some cases, even create a laptop battery fire risk.

This guide shows you what to check for, where issues usually hide in SMEs, and what to do if you spot a problem.

Let’s get into it…

Why ageing lithium-ion batteries can become dangerous?

In many SMEs, laptops that are used infrequently end up stored in places like comms rooms, presentation spaces, cupboards, or drawers. They’re kept for “just in case” moments and they can sit untouched for months.

Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, even when a device isn’t used much. Age, heat, long storage periods, and leaving a battery fully discharged can all contribute.

In some cases, that degradation leads to swelling. A swollen battery puts pressure on the laptop chassis and can increase the chance of internal damage. If a damaged battery is then charged or used heavily, it can overheat quickly (and in rare cases, that can lead to fire).

The practical takeaway is simple: older, rarely used laptops are the ones you should check first.

Laptop battery fire risk: The warning signs to look for

You don’t need specialist tools to identify most battery issues. In many cases, the warning signs are visible or physical.

If you’re checking stored or infrequently used laptops, look for:

• Bulging or uneven casing – the laptop doesn’t sit flat on a desk or the base appears to be pushing outward.
  
• Warped chassis – the device rocks slightly on a flat surface or shows visible bending along the underside.
  
• Trackpad lifting or keyboard separation – a trackpad that no longer sits flush is one of the most common early signs of swelling.
  
• Unusual overheating – the laptop becomes excessively hot during light use or soon after being plugged in.
  
• Rapid battery drain – a sudden or dramatic drop in battery performance beyond normal ageing.

If you notice any of these signs, stop using the device until it’s assessed. Charging a compromised battery is often when problems escalate.

Where this risk often hides in small businesses

In SMEs, the higher-risk devices are usually the ones that fall outside day-to-day ownership. The laptops no one feels responsible for.

One simple rule helps: if a device doesn’t have a named owner, it’s far more likely to sit unchecked.

Check these hotspots:

• Presentation room / meeting room laptops used once in a while
• Spare onboarding devices that rotate, then sit idle between hires
• “Emergency backup” laptops kept in drawers or storage boxes
• Returned homeworking devices that were never rechecked before going into storage
• Any device stored near heat sources (radiators, cupboards with network gear, loft-style storage areas)

Quick filter: if a laptop has been sitting unused for 3+ months, put it on the “check first” list.

What to do if you identify a problem

An older laptop doesn’t automatically need disposing of. Age alone isn’t the issue.

The trigger for action is visible damage or unsafe behaviour — such as swelling, distortion, overheating, or unusual heat when charging.

If you notice any of those signs:

• Stop using the laptop immediately.
• Do not continue charging it. Charging is often when a failing battery becomes unstable.
• Do not press, puncture, or attempt to repair the battery yourself.
• Place the device on a hard, non-flammable surface in a cool, ventilated area while you arrange assessment or disposal.

Do not put the device in general waste. Lithium-ion batteries must be handled under WEEE regulations and disposed of through an approved recycling provider.

If a device shows no physical warning signs but has been in storage for a long time, carry out a controlled check:

• Inspect it visually before powering on
• Charge it in a monitored environment, not overnight and not unattended
• If it overheats or behaves unusually, stop immediately

The goal isn’t to discard equipment unnecessarily. It’s to avoid reintroducing a compromised device into use without checking it first.

Preventing this from building up again

In most SMEs, battery risk isn’t caused by heavy use. It’s caused by forgotten devices.

Spare laptops accumulate. Ownership becomes unclear. Old kit sits in cupboards without being reviewed.

A simple asset register, periodic checks of stored equipment, and proper decommissioning when devices reach end-of-life are usually enough to prevent the issue entirely.

If you’re unsure what’s sitting in storage — or want to formalise safe disposal — Operum Tech can carry out a practical device review and arrange compliant WEEE disposal where required.

It’s a straightforward step that reduces both safety and compliance risk.

Contact us today to take control of stored devices and retire old kit correctly.