Introduction
In recent years, the use of electronic cigarettes, ‘vaping’, has become increasingly popular. Since 2015, there have been media reports of significant burn injuries secondary to the lithium ion batteries used in e-cigarettes exploding and causing harm. This has resulted in a number of patients requiring hospital admission, with some requiring surgery. While the major media focus lies in the burns injuries sustained by e-cigarette users, the potential for harm can be far more significant should one consider potential risk for house fires.
This project hopes to highlight the fire hazards from e-cigarettes and ascertain if a national campaign to highlight their danger is required.
Methodology
A survey was sent to the regional fire service to enquire incidences of all fire service attendances/reports involving e-cigarettes and their battery device. 
Results
Between September 2014 and October 2016 the regional fire service attended 34 e-cigarette incidents. 60% (n=21) of these incidences were false alarms caused by the e-cigarette vapours activating the smoke alarms. The remaining 13 incidents of fire were secondary to either the e-cigarette or the battery from the device.  
Discussion/Conclusion
House fires associated with e-cigarettes do not only have economic implications to the user in relation to loss of property but also to the fire service, as they would have to attend to manage the fire. Even in cases of false alarm the fact that the fire service are called out adds to the burden of the service. Lithium ion batteries are very sensitive, they contain compressed gas and flammable contents and battery failure can result in a violent reaction similar to a firework explosion. 
There appears to be less understanding of the dangers of e-cigarettes and/or their batteries in causing house fires. Therefore, a campaign to highlight the dangers of e- cigarettes and their batteries is needed.

Electronic Cigarettes and House Fires - a need for a national campaign?