Fire Prevention Week is October 5 to 11, 2025!
This year Fire Prevention Week focuses on “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home!”
Lithium-ion batteries store a lot of energy in a small place. These batteries can overheat, start a fire, or explode if overcharged or damaged. By learning how to BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE these batteries safely, you can help prevent a fire in your home.
- Chief Toth Gets Fired Up about Lithium-Ion Battery Safety!
This year, Fire Prevention Week (October 5 to 11) is focused on a modern fire risk hiding in plain sight: lithium-ion batteries. Found in everything from smartphones to scooters, these rechargeable devices make life easier, but if mishandled, they can spark serious danger.
“Lithium-ion batteries are incredibly useful, but you need to treat them with care,” says Fire Chief Colin Toth of Middlesex Centre Fire Services (MCFS). “It’s important that you buy, charge and recycle these batteries properly.”
First, buy smart by purchasing batteries and devices from reputable manufacturers and retailers, and looking for safety certification marks on the batteries, such as UL, ETL, or CSA. “Cheap batteries might seem like a deal, until they become a danger,” Chief Toth warns.
Second, charge safely. Always use the cords and chargers that came with your phone or other device and follow the instructions that came with them. Don’t overcharge your device – unplug it or remove the battery when it’s complete. Also, make sure to charge your device on a hard surface. “Don’t charge on your bed or couch,” says Chief Toth. “Fires can start that way, and they spread fast.”
Third, dispose of your batteries properly. Never throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Take them to a battery recycling drop-off location. You can find drop-off locations near you at rpra.ca/where-to-recycle. “These batteries don’t belong in your garbage or regular recycling, where they pose a risk of fire and explosion that puts waste management staff at risk,” Chief Toth emphasizes. “Make sure you dispose of them properly.”
And while you’re thinking about fire safety, don’t forget one of the simplest, most effective tools: your smoke alarm. “Test them monthly and replace the batteries if needed,” Chief Toth urges. “I can’t stress it enough – working smoke alarms save lives.”
About Middlesex Centre Fire Services: When emergencies happen, MCFS is there to protect the lives and property of the residents in our community. MCFS operates five fire stations staffed by over 100 professionally trained, paid-on-call firefighters (“volunteer firefighters”) with four full-time headquarter staff. Firefighters at the Delaware Station serve that community, as well as Komoka and Kilworth. If you’d like to learn more about MCFS or have any fire safety questions, contact Fire Services Headquarters.
- Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety Tips
Charge into Fire Safety: 3 Steps
- Buy only listed products. When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery look for a safety certification mark such as UL, ETL, or CSA. This means it meets important safety standards.
- Charge devices safely. Always use the cords that came with the product to charge. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Buy new chargers from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved. Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.
- Recycle batteries responsibly. Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire. Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit RPRA to find a recycling spot near you.
Resources & Activities
Click here for activities and important fire safety tips for your home:
- "Chalk One Up for Fire Safety!" School Class Contest
Chalk One Up for Fire Safety!
Chalks ready, set, draw! We’re challenging school classes in Middlesex Centre to share fire safety messages, with a chance to win big!
- Step 1: Enter your class by emailing firehq@middlesexcentre.ca. Register by October 10. Multiple classes may enter per school.
- Step 2: Chalk it Up kits containing sidewalk chalk and fire safety materials will be delivered the week of October 20.
- Step 3: Get your class familiar with fire safety by reviewing the materials in the kit and by visiting our website.
- Step 4: Have your students share their fire safety knowledge by using sidewalk chalk to draw fire safety messages on your sidewalks, tarmac, etc.
- Step 5: Post pictures of your Chalk it Up fire safety messages to your school’s social media accounts. Don’t forget to add the hashtags #MiddlesexCentre #Chalkoneupforfiresafety
- Step 6: Enter your class into the draw by emailing pictures of your fire safety messages to Middlesex Centre Fire Services. Entries received by November 10 will be entered to win! The winning classes will receive gift cards for classroom supplies.
You can find a poster about this program at the bottom of the page.
If you have any questions, please contact Fire Services Headquarters.
- Have questions about Fire Safety?
Visit our Fire Services webpage or contact our Fire Services staff with your questions.
Reproduced from NFPA website fpw.org, © NFPA 2025.