On February 19, 2026, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) issued a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) which discusses state-specific requirements related to the storage and maintenance of certain batteries. The DAL also addresses powered micromobility devices.
Guidelines for All Providers
The Letter also includes helpful safety guidelines which all providers could benefit from reviewing given the associated safety risk. Briefly, these guidelines include:
- Following manufacturer’s instructions for use, charging and storage
- Using approved devices and chargers
- Charging in a safe location, including plugging devices directly into a wall electrical outlet
- Never leaving devices charging unattended
- Conducting regular inspections for any signs of damage
- Storing devices appropriately – both indoors and outdoors
- Appropriate disposal of batteries
- Being vigilant for warning signs of a failing battery
- Ensuring your organization’s fire safety plan includes emergency response actions which should be taken upon detection of a fire or possible fire relating to battery storage or devices
Read DNH #26-01 Lithium-ion Battery Safety Reminder for full information here.
