Teen vaping habits present home fire risk
Written by
Kara Gammell
Reviewed by
Alicia Hempsted
Updated: 03 Feb 2026
While health concerns around the vaping habits of teens dominate the conversation, there’s another hidden danger parents may not see coming: vape-related house fires.
Thousands of teens are hiding vapes in bedrooms, drawers, and bags, often charging them overnight or discarding batteries incorrectly.
What they don’t know is that these lithium-ion devices can overheat or explode, putting homes and families at serious risk.
Vape fires: a small device but a big risk
One in five UK teens aged 11–17 has tried vaping, and around 7% – or 400,000 young people – are doing so regularly.1
Vapes might be small, but their batteries can reach temperatures of up to 1,000°C2 if damaged, overheated, or short-circuited.
Fires spread rapidly, produce toxic fumes, and can even reignite hours or days later due to residual chemical energy.
Despite being illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase, many teens still get their hands on e-cigarettes. And to avoid detection, they hide vapes in clever places and turn to TikTok for tips on where to do so.
A study of 50 TikTok videos by Provape3 revealed the most common hiding spots:
Between clothes (40%)
Behind paintings, canvases or posters (28%)
Inside pillows or pillowcases (22%)
Under, inside or beneath drawers (20%)
Under mattress or within bed frame (20%)
Inside curtains, blinds or on top of window (18%)
Inside shoes (18%)
Inside a stuffed toy (16%)
In a pen pot (16%)
Inside a box (12%)
Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Tell your teen about the dangers
Many parents have no idea that these devices are even in their homes, and that lack of awareness could come with serious risks.
Beyond the immediate fire danger, a blaze caused by unsafe charging, misuse, or counterfeit vape products could invalidate a home insurance claim if an insurer believes the incident was preventable.
Most standard home insurance policies cover fire as a named peril, but insurers may refuse to pay out if the cause is linked to negligence or improper use of electrical devices.
This means families could be left covering the cost of repairs, replacing belongings, or even temporary accommodation themselves.
For any parent, that’s an alarming thought, especially when so many are unaware their teenager even owns a vape in the first place.
Home safety tips for parents
The good news is taking simple precautions, such as using the correct charger, checking vapes for damage, and storing batteries safely, can help prevent fires before they start.
Battery Safety
Avoid metal contact:
Vape batteries should never be carried loose in a pocket or bag alongside coins, keys or any other metal objects.
If the battery comes into contact with metal, it can cause a short‑circuit - and that can quickly lead to overheating or even a fire.
Simple steps like storing batteries in a protective case and only using the correct charger can significantly reduce the risk of an accident.
Check for damage
If a battery is leaking, overheating or has visible dents or damage, it’s important to stop using it immediately.
Damaged batteries are far more likely to fail, and continuing to use one can increase the risk of overheating or even a fire.
Replacing the battery with a certified, like‑for‑like alternative and disposing of the faulty one safely can help prevent a dangerous incident.
Dispose of old batteries safely
Never put vapes in your general household waste. The lithium batteries inside can become damaged or overheat when crushed, which can increase the risk of a fire.
Instead, vapes should always be recycled properly. Most major supermarkets and local recycling centres now offer dedicated collection points for used batteries and small electricals - including disposable and rechargeable vapes - making it easy to get rid of them safely and responsibly.
Charging safety
Use the right charger
Only ever charge a vape using the charger it originally came with. Phone and tablet chargers can deliver the wrong level of power, which can increase the risk of the battery overheating, leaking or, in extreme cases, failing dangerously.
Using the correct, manufacturer‑approved charger is one of the simplest ways to reduce the chance of a battery fault and keep your device operating safely.
Don’t charge overnight
You should never leave a vape charging unattended - and especially not while you’re asleep.
If a battery begins to overheat or fails while no one is awake to spot the warning signs, there’s a risk it could lead to smoke or even a fire before anyone notices.
Charging devices on a stable surface, away from beds, soft furnishings and anything flammable, is a simple way to reduce the risk and keep your home safer.
Unplug when full
Overcharging a vape battery can cause it to overheat, which increases the risk of it failing or, in more serious cases, starting a fire.
To help keep your device safe, always unplug it once it’s fully charged rather than leaving it connected for longer than needed.
Charge on a safe surface
Always place vapes on a flat, fire-resistant surface while charging. Charging on or near flammable materials like a bed, in a drawer of clothes or inside shoes could be devastating.
Buying safe equipment
Buy from reputable sellers
Cheap, fake, or second-hand vape products may lack safety features that could prevent a fire.
Don’t mix batteries
Never use old and new batteries together or mix brands. Different batteries have different power levels, and mixing them can cause overheating, leaks, or fires.
Choose vapes with safety features
Look for devices with built-in protections, such as overcharge protection, button locks, and vent holes. These features help prevent the battery from overheating or catching fire.
How to talk to teens about vape safety
A fire in your home can be devastating, both emotionally and financially but it’s important to keep a calm, open approach when addressing the risks. Here are some tips on how to have open conversations with your teens.
1. Remove blame
As serious as vape‑related fire risks are, sitting your teen down for a ‘big talk’ after school can sometimes make young people feel as though they’re in trouble and less likely to listen.
A gentler way in is to mention something you’ve seen elsewhere, such as, ‘I saw someone on TV talking about vapes catching fire earlier - have you heard anything about that?’
This helps remove blame and makes the conversation feel more like sharing information, rather than telling them off.
By talking about what you ‘heard on TV’ - including the dangers of charging vapes overnight or leaving them near flammable materials - parents can pass on important safety information without it feeling like a lecture, which can make teens much more open to chatting.
2. Bring the risk home
Teens may not realise that vapes can catch fire - or how serious the consequences could be.
Helping them picture what a fire might actually mean - the damage it could cause to your home, the cost of repairs, and the impact on your family - can make the risk feel more real.
By framing it as useful information rather than a warning or a telling‑off, parents can give young people the facts they need to understand why these risks genuinely matter.
3. Use open-ended questions
Open‑ended questions like, ‘Have you heard about vapes catching fire?’ or ‘Do people at your school ever talk about this?’ can help teens open up without feeling put on the spot.
Talking about fire risks can feel frightening, especially for younger people, so it’s important they feel supported rather than blamed.
Letting them know they can always come to you if they’re worried or need advice helps create a sense of safety - and that reassurance can make them more likely to speak up in the future.
Sources
1. ASH Smokefree GB Youth Survey (2025)
2. British Safety Council report on lithium-ion battery risks
3. Joe Tucker, COO of provape analysed 50 TikTok videos that detailed how to conceal vapes and small items.
Author
Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Kara Gammell is an award-winning financial journalist with nearly two decades of experience writing for national newspapers and magazines such as the Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Times, Good...
Reviewer
Alicia Hempsted
Insurance Expert
Alicia is MoneySuperMarket's editorial content manager. She specialises in insurance, with a background in copywriting, digital marketing, and insurance advice. Since joining MoneySuperMarket in...
