Fire Prevention Week 2026: Charge into fire safety, safe charging is your superpower
By Amanda Nelson
The National Fire Protection Association's 2026 Fire Prevention Week theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower!” It reminds residents that some of the simplest things we do when charging our devices can help prevent fires.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in many of the devices we use every day. They can store a lot of energy in a relatively small package. When a battery is damaged, defective, overheated or improperly charged, that stored energy can become a serious fire hazard.
Jessica Jorritsma, the Township of Perth East and Municipality of West Perth Fire Department’s public educator, says rechargeable technology has become a normal part of life, and with more rechargeable devices comes another important fire-safety conversation.
“Knowing how to charge your devices safely is important,” said Jorritsma. “Most of these devices are safe, but when you start buying devices or batteries from sites where the batteries haven’t been tested properly, they can become unsafe.”
She says to always use the charger and charging equipment the manufacturer recommends. That inexpensive replacement charger or cable might seem like a great deal, but making sure your charging equipment is compatible with your device is an important part of battery safety.
“A lot of the chargers that come with devices are paired with them, so they will automatically recognize when the device is fully charged and stop charging. But sometimes, when you buy chargers that aren’t paired with the device, they keep charging. This is when things can become unsafe. You can sometimes tell when you pick up your phone or Chromebook and it feels warm.”
The campaign also reminds residents that charging on a flat, hard surface helps prevent fires.
“If your phone spends the night charging on your bedside table, that's one thing. But if it is buried under a pillow or charging on the couch, it's time to find a better spot,” said Jorritsma. “Charge devices on a hard, flat surface where heat can dissipate. Keep charging devices away from bedding, pillows, couches and other materials that can trap heat or burn.”
Another reminder: never charge damaged batteries. If a battery is swollen, leaking, unusually hot, cracked or showing other signs of damage, stop using it.
And perhaps one of the most important tips: keep charging devices and larger batteries away from your exits.
“We often talk to residents about having two ways out of their home and keeping those escape routes clear,” said Jorritsma. “An e-bike, scooter or large battery charging in a hallway or near an exterior door could become a serious obstacle during an emergency.”
Jorritsma also reminds people not to forget the garage and workshop, as those batteries need to be considered, too.
“A collection of cordless tool batteries sitting on a workbench may not look like a fire hazard, but each one contains stored energy,” she said. “Follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and storage, inspect batteries for damage and avoid using batteries or chargers that show signs of failure.
“The same applies to e-bikes and electric scooters. These devices are becoming more common, and their larger batteries require particular attention when charging,” she continued.
The National Fire Protection Association offers these recommendations to protect your home:
Use the manufacturer's charger and follow the charging instructions.
Charge batteries on a hard, flat surface.
Keep charging devices away from anything that can burn.
Don't charge damaged batteries.
Unplug devices when they are fully charged or when recommended by the manufacturer.
Keep larger battery-powered devices away from exits while charging.
Purchase products that have been tested to recognized safety standards, such as those bearing certification marks from organizations such as CSA, UL or ETL.
And, as always, make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working and that everyone in your household knows what to do if they hear an alarm.
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