City of Edmonton

10/06/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/06/2025 09:24

“Charge Into Fire Safety”: Lithium-ion batteries in your home

October 6, 2025

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) is joining fire departments across North America in recognizing the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) 103rd Fire Prevention Week. This year's recognition week, October 5 to 11, focuses on lithium-ion battery safety with the theme "Charge Into Fire Safety".

"Lithium-ion batteries power so much of our daily lives. From the electronics that we use, to many children's toys and even in how we get around using micromobility or by electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries play a role," said Graeme McAlister, Deputy Fire Chief, Community Safety and Risk. "However, lithium-ion batteries are a convenience that come with a critical responsibility in how we take care of them, all the way to their end of life. The small steps we take, such as using the right charger, never overcharging items and properly disposing of these batteries are the most powerful tools we have to prevent devastating fires and to protect ourselves, our families and our homes."

In the last two years, EFRS has investigated approximately 20 fires related to lithium-ion batteries. Most of these fires were caused by malfunctioning batteries or charging equipment, improper storage of batteries, misuse of batteries or leaving charging batteries unattended.

Along with the NFPA, EFRS recommends the following actions to keep safe when it comes to lithium-ion batteries:

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 the battery meets important safety standards.
Charge devices safely
  • Only use cords supplied with the product to charge the device.
  • Buy new chargers directly from the manufacturer or use chargers approved by the manufacturer.
  • Charge your device on a hard surface.
  • Unplug your device or remove the battery when it is fully charged.
  • Follow all other instructions from the manufacturer.
Proper battery disposal
  • Electronic waste and batteries should never be placed in the garbage. No matter how small, these items represent a large safety risk if not disposed of properly.
  • Drop batteries off at an Eco Stationor participating retailer for safe recycling at no cost.
  • If you are unable to properly dispose of used batteries right away, place tape over both ends before you store them to prevent batteries from reacting with one another.
City of Edmonton published this content on October 06, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 06, 2025 at 15:24 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]