From October 4 to 10, 2026 we recognize Fire Prevention Week™. This year’s FPW campaign, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower” focuses on the everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep homes and communities safer. The campaign stresses how important it is to BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE safely when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.
Use Your Charging Superpowers With These Six Safety Tips:
- Cheap charger? Don’t chance it. Use the cord and charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer.
- Soft surface? Hard pass. Charge on a hard, flat surface like a table, desk, or bare floor.
- Fully charged? Time to unplug. Unplug your device when it is fully charged.
- For tools and rides, charge outside. Charge large items like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside when possible. Do not block exits when charging.
- Feels hot? Stop using it. Stop using your device if it feels very hot, starts to swell, smells strange, leaks, smokes, or makes popping or hissing sounds.
- On a flight? Keep it in sight. When on a plane, keep devices where you can see them while charging. Do not charge e-cigarettes or vapes on the plane. Tell a flight attendant if you notice a problem with your device.
This week is also an opportunity to share information about the importance of extinguishers and escape plans, as well as share fire safety tips such as:
- Develop escape plans that take everyone’s abilities into consideration and practice them regularly with everyone who lives in the home.
- Keep fire extinguishers in kitchens, basements, and garages, and know how to use them.
- Close doors at night to help slow the spread of fire and smoke.
Have questions or feedback? Contact Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness via email at mesha.richard@tbh.net.
Resources