It’s Fire Prevention week and the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Fire Departments are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to support safe charging.
This year’s theme is Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower, focusing on the simple steps people can take to recharge safely. Safe charging means making smart choices every time you plug in.
“Many devices used in our daily lives – phones, tablets, laptops, tools, toys, e-bikes, and scooters—run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which store a lot of energy in a small space,” says Acting Fire Chief Ben Goertzen, Elk Valley & South Country Rural Fire and Rescue Service.
“If they are damaged or charged the wrong way, they can overheat, start a fire, or even explode.”
The RDEK encourages residents in keep in mind these important safety tips:
- Use the cord and charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer.
- Charge devices on a table, desk, or other hard, flat surface. Do not charge them on beds, couches, or under pillows.
- Stop using your device if it feels very hot, starts to swell, is smoking, or has a strange smell. • Unplug your device when it is fully charged.
- Charge larger items like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside and away from exits.
- When on a plane, keep your device where you can see it while charging.
“The way you charge your lithium-ion battery devices can make a difference in helping prevent home fires,” says Fire Chief Drew Sinclair, Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service.
“It comes down to using simple habits each time you plug in.”
To learn more about lithium-ion battery safety, visit www.fpw.org.
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