Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and once upon a time, consumers raced to keep up with the latest models. However, the increased cost of electronics has deterred many from purchasing new devices. Down eight percent compared to the first quarter of 2023, the U.S. smartphone market registered another year-over-year shipment decline in the first calendar quarter, marking its sixth quarterly decline. Price hikes have also increased the price of repairs, leading many consumers to attempt self-repair at home.
The Right to Repair has been a long-debated topic in the tech industry for many years and continues to be controversial. The idea has grown over the last decade and transformed into a national movement to protect consumers’ right to repair their own electronic devices. The movement has expanded to include machinery and traditional IT assets like computers, tablets, and phones. Self-repair has pros and cons as a component of the right to repair, but whether users turn to third-party repair shops or fix their own devices, it is critical to practice safe device repair, especially if attempted at home.
Though self-repair can save money, many things can go wrong. The right to repair encompasses several aspects of device repair, but self-repair is perhaps the most dangerous and should never be attempted without proper preparations.
First and foremost, anyone attempting repairs at home should wear safety glasses, especially when removing or installing Lithium Ion batteries. Before you begin battery maintenance, it is critical to ensure your workspace is clutter-free and that no other electronics or combustible materials are nearby to prevent a chain reaction. It is also best to avoid handling LIBs over a carpeted area.
During device maintenance, special care must be taken never to puncture or bend a battery at a sharp angle, as any damage could start a fire. If a battery fire occurs during self-repair, or if you feel the battery heating up, put it down immediately. Wait until the fire is extinguished and the battery has cooled before handling it again.
It is important to note that LIB battery fires are more difficult to extinguish because they result from a chemical reaction. Small LIBs can be doused with water or a Class D fire extinguisher. For larger battery fires, a foam extinguisher, CO2, ABC dry chemical, powder graphite, copper powder, or sodium carbonate is best. If the fire cannot be extinguished and is in a controlled setting, the safest option is to let it burn on its own.
Do not throw batteries in the trash when you finish the repair. IT asset disposition facilities like HOBI have trained professionals who collect old electronics, including batteries, and recycle them in an eco-friendly manner. This ensures the battery is not taken to a landfill to contaminate the environment further.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.