“Charge into Fire Safety” Fire Prevention Week, October 4 – 10

From phones and laptops to e-bikes, power tools and toys, lithium-ion batteries are now part of everyday life. 

During Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is reminding residents that how these batteries are purchased, charged and disposed of can make an important difference in preventing fires.

This year’s Charge into Fire Safety!™ campaign focused on three simple actions:

1. Buy certified products – Look for products that have been tested and certified to Canadian safety standards (CSA, ULC or ETL).
   
   
2. Charge devices safely – Use the charging cord and power supply recommended for the product. Charge devices on a hard, stable surface and never on beds, couches or under pillows. Avoid charging damaged batteries and unplug them once charging is complete. 
   
   
3. Recycle batteries responsibly – Never place lithium-ion batteries or devices in the garbage or recycling bin. Damaged or improperly discarded batteries can ignite when crushed or compacted during collection and processing. Take used batteries and devices to an approved recycling location. You can also safely dispose of household batteries during the City of Lethbridge’s Curbside Battery Collection program, November 17-27.

“Lithium-ion batteries are in almost every home in Lethbridge, but the risks are not always obvious,” says Neill O’Grady, Fire Prevention Officer with LFES. “Pay attention to how you charge your devices and stop using batteries that are damaged or overheating.”

Lithium-ion batteries can compactly store a significant amount of energy. If a battery is damaged, overheated or improperly charged, that energy can be released quickly and create a serious fire. 

“We’ve seen first-hand the dangers when batteries end up in recycling or garbage loads,” says Jonathan Fitzgerald, Education and Outreach Analyst with the City of Lethbridge. “Fires have started inside our collection trucks, putting staff and residents at risk.  Knowing how to properly get rid of batteries, like utilizing our curbside battery collection program, is a simple step that helps keep everyone safe.”

LFES Fire Prevention Officers will be available throughout Fire Prevention Week to answer questions and share practical information about lithium-ion battery safety, smoke alarms and other ways residents can reduce fire risk at home. 

Outreach Schedule

• October 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO)
• October 7, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Park Place Mall 
• October 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre

Residents who stop by can speak directly with Fire Prevention Officers, learn more about protecting their homes and enter a draw for a fire extinguisher. 

“Fire prevention does not have to be complicated,” says O’Grady. “Small habits around charging, storing and disposing of batteries can prevent a fire before it starts. Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to help residents recognize those risks and make safer choices at home. 

For more fire prevention information and resources, visit GetInvolvedLethbridge.ca/fire-prevention-week.

To learn more about the Curbside Battery Collection program, visit Lethbridge.ca/BatteryCollection.

For Public Inquiries:
Call or chat 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.