As we move into the season of coziness and warmth, the Euless Fire Department, in collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), is reminding residents of the inherent risks that come with the modern convenience of lithium-ion batteries. The NFPA®, having championed Fire Prevention Week™ for over a century, is driving this year’s theme forward: “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” According to the City of Euless, there's an increasing need to be vigilant about purchasing, charging, and recycling these batteries to mitigate the risk of fires at home.
The ubiquity of lithium-ion batteries in everyday devices such as smartphones, laptops, e-cigarettes, and toys makes them almost invisible to the conscious mind, yet they are a potent source of energy that, if mishandled, damaged, can not only overheat but also explode. The Euless Fire Department and the NFPA® want the community to recognize the presence of these batteries around their homes and adhere to a Buy, Charge, and Recycle Safely protocol. Certified and tested products, they emphasize, are the safest options to pick up from the shelf or add to your online cart.
Guidelines set forth by fire safety experts urge consumers to use the chargers provided with their devices, or in case of needing replacements, to opt for manufacturer-approved options. A practical tip that comes with the charging process is to do so on hard surfaces, steering clear of beds, pillows, or couches, which could serve as kindling to a lithium-powered blaze. As for recycling, the authorities warn against curbside disposal, pointing instead to designated battery recycling locations such as the upcoming Crud Day on Saturday, November 1.
