Clarence Valley families are being warned by Fire and Rescue NSW to take extreme care with rechargeable products after a Yamba home nearly went up in flames last week when an electric skateboard caught alight.

Around midnight on Tuesday November 8, a 12-year-old girl was woken by the crackling sound of her electric skateboard on fire as it charged in her bedroom of her family home.

After the family called triple 0, the girl and four members of her family made it out of the home as firefighters from Yamba, Maclean and Grafton arrived at the scene.

The girl was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. 

Firefighters discovered that the electric skateboard, powered by a lithium-ion battery, was purchased as a Christmas gift last year.

With Christmas just around the corner, Fire and Rescue NSW are taking this opportunity to remind shoppers to use caution when purchasing lithium-ion-powered devices including e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards.

When charging your devices:

* Don’t overcharge batteries

* Don’t charge devices in bed

* Don’t leave items charging unattended

* Don’t charge faulty or damaged batteries

* Use compliant and approved chargers