Fire Prevention Week is October 4 to 10, 2026!
This year Fire Prevention Week focuses on “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower!”
- Chief Toth Gets Fired Up about Safe Charging!
This year, Fire Prevention Week (October 4 to 10) is focused on the everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep homes and communities safer.
“Products containing lithium-ion batteries are incredibly useful, but you need to charge them safely,” says Fire Chief Colin Toth of Middlesex Centre Fire Services (MCFS). “Always use the cords and chargers that came with your devices 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 – never charge your device on your bed or couch.” Chief Toth stresses.
Always 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.
Chief Toth also reminds residents to be mindful of disposing 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.”
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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. If you’d like to learn more about MCFS or have any fire safety questions, contact Fire Services Headquarters.
- Safe Charging Safety Tips
Use your Charging Superpowers: 6 Safety Tips
Key messages for this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge into Fire Safety!” include the following:
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.
Resources & Activities
Click here for activities and important fire safety tips for your home:
- 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 2026.