> Lithium Ion should be replaces ASAP by safer chemistries so we can sidestep this issue completely

That would be nice, but so far there are no good candidates that have anywhere near the energy density of Li-based cells. As far as I understand it, besides material degradation and overcharge/overdraw, the energy density itself poses a risk. So even if we had that miracle cell chemistry it would be still pose a fire hazard when subjected to mechanical stress. The stored energy has to go somewhere.