Duke Evans Fire Chief at City of Bismarck | City of Bismarck
Duke Evans Fire Chief at City of Bismarck | City of Bismarck
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Bismarck Fire Department are promoting fire safety awareness during this year's Fire Prevention Week, which focuses on lithium-ion battery safety under the theme "Charge into Fire Safety – 3 Steps."
The organizations outlined three key recommendations to help prevent fires related to lithium-ion batteries. The first step is to buy safe products. According to the NFPA and Bismarck Fire Department, consumers should "check for a safety mark like UL, ETL, or CSA" when purchasing products that use lithium-ion batteries. This ensures that the product has been tested for compliance with recognized safety standards.
The second recommendation addresses charging practices. They advise users to "stick with the charger and cord that came with your device, or buy replacements straight from the manufacturer." Devices should be charged on hard surfaces rather than beds or couches, and it is important to unplug devices or remove batteries once fully charged in order to avoid overcharging.
The third step highlights proper disposal methods. The NFPA and Bismarck Fire Department state: "Never toss lithium-ion batteries in the trash or your regular recycling bin—they can start fires. Instead, drop them off at a safe recycling location. You can find one at call2recycle.org." More information about safe battery recycling locations is available at https://www.call2recycle.org/.
Fire Prevention Week aims to educate residents about common fire risks associated with everyday electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Alerts Sign-up