Congratulations! You made it through Fire Prevention Week, and now you know how to stay safe with lithium-ion batteries. Let’s review everything Sparky the Fire Dog taught us this week.

What Did We Learn?

Lithium-ion batteries are in so many things we use every day: tablets, phones, laptops, e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, cordless vacuums, power tools, wireless headphones, remote control cars, drones, and even some toys. These batteries are powerful and helpful, but they need to be used safely. If they get damaged or aren’t charged correctly, they can overheat and start fires.

The good news is that staying safe is easy when you follow three simple rules: BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE.

BUY Only Listed Products

When your family shops for anything with a lithium-ion battery, look for safety marks like UL, ETL, or CSA on the packaging and the product. These marks mean the product was tested by experts to make sure it’s safe. Products without these marks might not be safe and could increase your risk of fire.

CHARGE Devices Safely

Always use the charging cable that came with your device. If you need a new one, make sure it’s from the manufacturer or approved by them. Charge your devices on hard surfaces like desks or tables, never on beds, couches, or under pillows. Don’t overcharge – unplug when your device reaches 100%. For big items like e-bikes, scooters, or power tools, charge them outside on a flat, dry spot away from anything that can catch fire. If a cable is damaged or only works when you bend it, tell an adult so it can be replaced.

RECYCLE Responsibly

Never throw lithium-ion batteries in the regular trash or recycling bins because they can start fires in garbage trucks and recycling centers. Instead, take old batteries and devices to special battery recycling locations. Visit call2recycle.org with your parents to find a drop-off spot near you.

Warning Signs to Watch For

If a battery or device smells weird, gets very hot, makes popping noises, or changes in shape or color, tell an adult right away and don’t touch it. If it’s safe to do so, an adult should move it away from anything that can burn and call 9-1-1.

Keep Learning with Sparky!

Want to help spread the word about battery safety? Download our free coloring page and color it with your family while talking about what you learned this week. You can also download our safety guide to keep as a reminder of all the important rules.

Thank you for learning about fire safety with Sparky the Fire Dog! Share what you learned with your friends and family so everyone can stay safe. Remember: when we all work together and follow safety rules, we can prevent fires and keep our homes and communities safe.

For more information, please reach out to:

Al McDermott
Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction
608-835-5587 x1500