Firefighters responded after a man called saying his cell phone battery started hissing, and then rapidly burning

Lithium-ion batteries have an internal chemistry that leads to major fires and toxic pollutants when they combust. What role can consumers play in keeping themselves and the general public safe?

For decades, scientists have sought ways to counter our dependence on lithium-ion batteries. These traditional, rechargeable batteries energize today's most ubiquitous consumer electronics—from laptops to cell phones to electric cars.