Safe Charging is this Year’s Fire Prevention Week Message in Clay County

Staff Report

Clay County Fire & Rescue is asking residents to take a closer look at what is plugged in around the house this week, as Fire Prevention Week puts the focus on everyday charging habits and the fire risk tied to lithium-ion batteries.

Fire Prevention Week runs October 4–10. The National Fire Protection Association, which sponsors the annual campaign, set this year’s theme as “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.” Clay County Fire & Rescue is sharing that message locally.

Phones, tablets, laptops, power tools, children’s toys, wireless headphones, battery packs, e-bikes and scooters all commonly run on lithium-ion batteries. Those batteries store a large amount of energy in a small package. Used as intended, they are generally safe. Damaged, overheated, improperly charged, or paired with the wrong charger, that stored energy can become a serious fire hazard.

“What’s charging in your home right now?” the department asked in its Fire Prevention Week message. “Take a second and think about it.”

A few habits can lower the risk:

• Use the charger and cord that came with the device, or equipment approved by the manufacturer.

• Do not charge phones, tablets or laptops on beds, couches, pillows or other soft surfaces that can trap heat.

• Stop using a battery that shows unusual heat, swelling, leaking, an odd odor, popping sounds or a change in shape.

• Keep devices that are charging away from exits and escape routes.

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NFPA notes that it does not yet track a national count of home fires involving lithium-ion batteries, but reports from fire departments and news outlets point to a growing number of related fires and explosions. Larger batteries, including those in e-bikes, scooters and power tools, store more energy and can fail more violently; national guidance also recommends charging those items outside and away from exits.

Charging is something most households do every day. Clay County Fire & Rescue is asking residents to make doing it safely part of the routine.