January 7, 2026 – A consumer reportedly sustained a hand burn and blister after attempting to replace lithium batteries in a Google Nest Protect smoke detector, according to a recent incident report. The incident highlights potential safety risks associated with battery handling in certain devices.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On March 19, 2025, a consumer received a low battery warning on their Google Nest Protect smoke detector. Following the warning, the consumer proceeded to remove the lithium batteries that were supplied with the device. Immediately upon removal, the consumer reported experiencing a severe burn to their hand, which subsequently resulted in a blister. The incident occurred shortly after the low battery alert prompted the user to initiate the battery replacement process.
Safety Concerns
This incident raises significant safety concerns regarding the potential for batteries to overheat or malfunction during handling, even during routine replacement.
- Immediate Dangers: The primary immediate danger is thermal burns, as experienced by the consumer. Batteries, particularly lithium-ion or lithium primary cells, can overheat, short-circuit, or vent if damaged, mishandled, or if there’s an internal defect, leading to rapid temperature increases. This can cause severe skin burns, blisters, and tissue damage.
- Long-Term Risks: Severe burns can lead to long-term complications, including permanent scarring, nerve damage, and increased susceptibility to infection if the skin barrier is compromised.
- Who Might Be Affected: Anyone attempting to replace batteries in their Google Nest Protect device could be at risk. This includes homeowners, renters, and potentially even maintenance personnel. Children, who may not understand the dangers of hot or damaged batteries, could be especially vulnerable if they come into contact with them.
- Property Damage Potential: While not reported in this specific incident, an overheating battery can escalate into a fire hazard, potentially damaging the device itself, nearby furniture, or even leading to a structural fire if the battery ignites flammable materials.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own a Google Nest Protect or any device using lithium batteries should exercise extreme caution during battery replacement.
- Immediate Steps to Take:
* If you experience a burn, immediately cool the affected area with cool (not cold) running water for at least 10-20 minutes.
* Seek immediate medical attention for any burns, especially if the skin is blistering, deeply colored, or covers a large area.
* Do not touch potentially compromised batteries with bare hands. Use insulated tools or gloves if you must handle them.
* Isolate the affected batteries in a non-flammable container away from combustible materials.
- How to Check if They Own the Affected Product: Check your smoke detector for the “Google Nest Protect” branding and model information. If you have any concerns about battery replacement, consult the product manual or manufacturer’s website.
- Prevention Measures:
* Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for battery replacement.
* Use only the specified type and brand of batteries recommended by the manufacturer.
* If a battery feels warm, looks swollen, or shows signs of leakage or damage, do not attempt to handle it directly. Contact the manufacturer or a hazardous waste facility for proper disposal instructions.
* When replacing batteries, ensure hands are dry and avoid wearing metal jewelry that could accidentally short-circuit battery terminals.
* If the device gives an unexpected error or warning related to batteries, do not ignore it.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar incident or have concerns about your product, report it to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov.
Manufacturer’s Response
Nest Labs, Inc., the manufacturer, has reportedly responded to this incident. Further details regarding the nature of their response are not available in this incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.