By HANNA MORDOH & JUSTIN RAZAVIWISH-TV | wishtv.comThe Carmel Fire Department is warning people to watch out for lithium-ion batteries and charging equipment. “Unfortunately, we’re responding more than ever to house fires and close calls caused by lithium-ion batteries and charging equipment.” Griffin estimated that at least half of the garage fires the agency has seen in the last year were related to charging instruments and battery-powered devices. According to the fire department, charging batteries is not inherently dangerous, but leaving them plugged in indefinitely, using damaged batteries or chargers, or charging them in areas with combustible materials can increase the risk of fire. The Carmel Fire Department said, thankfully, in this most recent case, the smoke was noticed early, and a quick response by firefighters prevented what could have become a much more serious fire.