Jersey Shore fire that killed a 92-year-old was linked to a common household device. What you need to know to protect yourself and your home

“It was just like a kick in the stomach,” neighbor E.J. Hradek told NBC. “Because you just feel so heartbroken for a person who has lived a long life like that, and have that happen.”

The perils of lithium-ion batteries

Investigators say the fire was likely caused by lithium-ion batteries — a common household item that many people don’t realize can be hazardous. They’re commonly used in rechargeable devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, medical devices and power tools.

But lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch on fire and even explode when they’re “damaged or improperly used, charged or stored,” according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (2)

To prevent battery-related fires, “make sure that you’re only charging them when you can supervise them,” Kelly Ransdell, director of public education for NFPA, told NBC (1). Once they’re fully charged “take them off the charger. Don’t leave them on it.”

Also, avoid exposing them to extreme heat or cold because this can make them “brittle,” meaning they could “break more easily and also go into thermal runaway,” Ransdell said.

Thermal runaway occurs when the battery “enters an uncontrollable self-heating state,” according to UL Research Institutes (3). This means it generates heat faster than it can dissipate from the cell, causing the battery to heat up at a rate greater than 68 degrees per minute. Thermal runaway can be accompanied by gas, smoke or fire.

To prevent battery fires, the NFPA recommends only using batteries listed by a nationally recognized testing lab; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration keeps a list (4).

In addition, only use compatible charging equipment (preferably the equipment that came with your device), stop charging once the battery is fully charged and have repairs done by a qualified professional.

Why seniors are more vulnerable

But it wasn’t just the cause of the fire that led to the tragedy in Stafford Township. Matero’s age may have also played a role in her death.

Between 2014 and 2023, adults aged 65 to 74 had 2.2 times the risk of dying in a fire compared to the general population, according to research by the U.S. Fire Administration. As you age, that risk increases: Those aged 75 to 84 had 2.9 times the risk, while those aged 85 and were 3.4 times more likely to die in a fire (4).

This could be the result of myriad factors, such as deteriorating vision — so, for example, maybe you don’t notice flammable items close to a heat source. Hearing loss, even if mild, can affect your ability to hear a smoke detector. And a decreased sense of smell may keep some seniors from noticing something that’s burning.

Reduced cognitive capacity can make it harder to recognize hazards and react to a fire, while research (6) shows that chronic illnesses, such as heart conditions, can make seniors more susceptible to smoke and heat. During a fire, impaired vision and reduced mobility could also make it harder to escape.

The U.S. Fire Administration offers fire safety tips specifically for older adults. If you’re hard of hearing, for example, consider installing a low-frequency audible smoke detector device. If you’re deaf, install a detector with a flashing light or use aids such as a bed shaker that reacts to the sound of an alarm.