County of Brant Fire Department urges residents to practice safe charging habits

Paris Independent Staff

Fire Prevention Week may be over, but fire officials say the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries deserve year-round attention.

Fire Prevention Week wrapped up on Oct. 10, but the County of Brant Fire Department is reminding residents that fire safety doesn't end with the annual awareness campaign.

This year's Fire Prevention Week, held Oct. 4 to 10, focused on the growing use of lithium-ion batteries and the potential fire hazards associated with improper charging, storage and handling.

The campaign, led by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), carried the theme “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower,” encouraging residents to take a closer look at how they use and charge everyday electronic devices.

From cellphones and laptops to cordless power tools, e-bikes and electric scooters, rechargeable batteries have become a regular part of daily life. While convenient, lithium-ion batteries can pose serious fire risks when damaged, improperly charged or stored incorrectly. In some cases, they can overheat, catch fire or even explode.

“Lithium-ion batteries are convenient and are used in so many of the products we rely on every day,” says County of Brant Fire Chief Darren Watson. “It is important to understand that these batteries can become a serious fire hazard when they are damaged, improperly charged or not used as intended. Taking a few simple precautions can help keep your home and family safe.”

The fire department is encouraging residents to adopt several simple safety practices to reduce the risk of battery-related fires.

When purchasing products containing lithium-ion batteries, consumers should look for recognized safety certification marks, such as UL, ETL or CSA, which indicate the product has been tested to meet established safety standards. Extra caution is recommended when purchasing unfamiliar or unbranded products, particularly online.

Using the correct charger is equally important. Residents should always use the charging cable and equipment supplied with their device or a replacement specifically approved by the manufacturer. Incompatible chargers can damage batteries and increase the risk of overheating.

Where devices are charged also matters. Fire officials recommend placing electronics on hard, flat surfaces, such as tables or desks, rather than beds, couches or beneath pillows, where heat can build up.

Residents should also watch for warning signs, including batteries that become unusually hot, swell, produce strange odours or begin smoking. Devices displaying these symptoms should no longer be used or charged.

Larger rechargeable batteries, commonly found in e-bikes, electric scooters and power tools, require additional precautions because they store more energy. These devices should be charged away from combustible materials and should never block doorways or emergency exits.

Proper disposal is another important part of battery safety. Lithium-ion batteries should never be placed in household garbage or regular recycling bins because they can create fire hazards during collection and processing.

Residents can find information about safe battery disposal options in the County of Brant at brant.ca/garbage.

Although Fire Prevention Week has concluded, the County of Brant Fire Department continues to encourage residents to make fire prevention part of their everyday routines.

Additional information about lithium-ion battery safety is available at www.fpw.org, while local fire prevention resources can be found at www.brant.ca/Fire.

Fire officials say taking a few extra minutes to charge devices properly, recognize potential warning sign.