Rechargeable batteries in today's consumer electronics are made of lithium ion, an extremely energy-dense substance--it's what gives us a lot of power in a lightweight, compact form factor. That same energy density, however, makes the batteries more prone to combustion if they've been damaged or if there is a fault in the manufacturing process.

There are some tips you can follow to make sure your battery is in good condition: keep it from getting too hot, inspect it regularly for dents or damage, and handle it carefully. Most importantly, keep an eye out for battery recalls, because those are indicative of possible defects in manufacturing. Most major hardware vendors have recalled laptop batteries at some point. The manufacturers usually try to contact affected customers directly, and CNET News.com regularly posts stories about recalls; we also urge you to visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site to check if your battery (or any other electronic device you own) has been recalled. Learn more about recent battery recalls from Dell and Apple.