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Fire Prevention Week focuses on lithium-ion battery safety
This year’s National Fire Prevention Week campaign, which runs from October 5 to 11, is ‘Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.’
It highlights safe purchasing, charging, and recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
“Most of the electronics we use in our homes every day, like smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, and toys, are powered by lithium-ion batteries. Almost everything that’s rechargeable uses this type of battery,” said Elk Valley & South Country Rural Fire and Rescue Service Chief Michael Hockley. “If not used correctly or if damaged, lithium-ion batteries can overheat, start a fire, or even explode.”
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps people understand the importance of using these batteries correctly to prevent fires in the home and to follow the ‘Buy, Charge, and Recycle Safely’ approach.
“These three steps start with buying only listed products. Look for a stamp from a nationally recognized testing lab on the packaging and product, which means that it meets important safety standards. Many products sold online and in stores may not meet safety standards and could increase the risk of fire,” said Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service Chief Drew Sinclair.
“Next is to charge devices safely, using cords that came with the product to charge it, following the instructions from the manufacturer, and keeping cords in good condition.”
The third step is recycling batteries responsibly. Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could catch fire. Recycling your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location is the best way to dispose of them.
Visit www.call2recycle.ca to find a recycling spot near you.
For further fire prevention tips or to learn how you can become a part of the RDEK’s Rural Fire and Rescue Service, contact your local fire department. The annual firefighter recruitment drive is on now.
Learn more at www.rdek.bc.ca.
Regional District of East Kootenay
