The invention provides a current collector, an electrode plate and a lithium ion battery. The current collector comprises a base material and a safe coating applied on at least one surface of the base material, the safe coating comprises flame-retardant particles, a heat-resistant additive, a conductive agent and a binder; and the flame-retardant particles are converted into an insulating layer between the base material and the safe coating at 80-180 DEG C. According to the current collector, the base material is coated with the safe coating with safety, the flame-retardant particles are added into the safe coating, the flame-retardant particles do not change during the normal use temperature period of a battery and do not influence the electrochemical performance of the battery; and when the temperature exceeds the normal use temperature of the battery, and reaches 80-180 DEG C, the flame-retardant particles can be decomposed and converted into the compact insulating layer between the base material and the safe coating, so that the contact between an active substance and the base material is greatly blocked, the transmission of lithium ions and electrons is hindered, and a short-circuit switch is cut off in time, and therefore, the purpose of preventing the thermal runaway of the battery is achieved.