Ohio State Fire Marshal Urges Ohioans to ‘Charge Into Safety’ During Fire Prevention Week

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal is again teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote Fire Prevention Week, which kicks off today, Oct. 5 and concludes Saturday, Oct. 11. This year's theme, "Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home," focuses on educating Ohioans about the safe use of common rechargeable batteries to prevent fires.

Lithium-ion batteries power countless devices in our lives, from smartphones and laptops to power tools and e-bikes. While convenient and often-times small in size, these batteries can pose significant fire and explosion risks if they are damaged or used incorrectly. Fire Prevention Week aims to highlight the importance of knowing which devices use these batteries and how to handle them safely.

Damaged or misused batteries can overheat, start a fire, or even explode. Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon says reducing these risks starts with taking a close look around your home to understand the various devices that are powered by lithium-ion batteries and making sure these items, no matter how small, are handled responsibly and as instructed by the manufacturer.

"As technology continues to evolve and more rechargeable devices enter our homes, it's important that Ohioans understand how to safely use, charge, and dispose of items that use lithium-ion batteries," Reardon said. "These batteries are potential hazards that are hiding in plain sight, and Fire Prevention Week is a great opportunity for all of us to learn simple actions that can prevent potentially devastating fires."

To reduce the risk of a fire, Ohioans should follow the "Buy, Charge, and Recycle Safely" approach:

Buy Only Listed Products

• When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, be sure to take time to research it. Look for a stamp from nationally recognized testing laboratories such as UL, ETL, or CSA on the packaging and product, which means it meets important safety standards.
• Many products sold online and in stores may not meet these safety standards, which could increase the risk of fire. If you have purchased a product that doesn't contain one of those approved stamps, you should attempt to return it and discontinue using it.

Charge Devices Safely

• While they may look alike, not all chargers and cords are the same. Only use the cord that comes with a product to charge it and always follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
• If you need a new charger for an item, be sure to buy one from the manufacturer or purchase a cord the manufacturer has approved.
• Charge your device on a hard surface, such as a countertop or on a concrete, tile or wood floor. Don't charge items under a pillow, on a bed, or on a couch, as this could potentially cause a fire.
• Don't overcharge your device or leave it hooked up to a charger for days on end. Once a device is fully charged, disconnect it from the charger.

Recycle Batteries Responsibly

• Just because a battery may be small doesn't mean it isn't dangerous. Don't throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could catch fire either in transit or at a facility.
• Only recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Approved recycling locations can be found at call2recycle.org.

The Division of State Fire Marshal encourages all Ohioans to be fire safe by being aware of their devices and lithium-ion batteries in their homes and by following this Buy, Charge, and Recycle Safely approach.

To learn more about lithium-ion battery safety, visit fpw.org.

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About the Division of State Fire Marshal

The Division of State Fire Marshal is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio's chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com.ohio.gov.