Credit card-sized trackers pose minimal fire risk due to low lithium content, but stored energy can still cause issues if mishandled.
Risk from credit card trackers comes from stored energy
The risk of explosion in credit card-sized wallet trackers is mainly due to the stored energy in their batteries, not the lithium content itself, according to Adrian Kingsley-Hughes from ZDNET.Battery specs and lithium content
These small tracking devices typically have batteries with capacities between 110 and 400 mAh and a voltage of 3.7 V. The lithium in these batteries is minimal, with an 110 mAh cell containing about 0.033 g of lithium and a 400 mAh cell containing around 0.12 g of lithium.Lithium's role in battery safety
The lithium in these batteries is not in its pure form but is instead bound in compounds like oxides, graphite, and electrolytic salts. This makes it less likely to cause issues directly, but the stored energy can still be a concern if released unexpectedly.Testing credit card trackers under stress
Kingsley-Hughes tested several credit card-sized trackers, including models from KeySmart and Chipolo, by folding, twisting, and piercing the batteries with a metal blade. Despite these extreme conditions, the batteries only warmed slightly and did not catch fire or produce smoke.Recommendations for safer use
Kingsley-Hughes suggests opting for well-known brands like Nomad, Chipolo, Rolling Square, Ugreen, and KeySmart. He also recommends using rigid wallets to reduce the chance of bending or crushing the trackers and using wallets with built-in support for Apple's AirTags.
