Charge into Fire Safety — Campaign for lithium-ion battery safety

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The Town of Granby Fire Marshal’s Office and Lost Acres Fire Department are working in coordination with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to raise awareness about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and ways to minimize them.

NFPA’s new campaign, Charge into Fire Safety™, includes an expanded series of resources, guidelines and information in response to the concerns fire officials have about the growing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries that power micromobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters, smaller electronics such as cell phones and laptops and electric vehicles. As the use of these items has increased in recent years, so, too, has the number of fires associated with them.

NFPA and Granby Fire Marshal’s Office recommend these tips when buying, charging, storing and using lithium-ion batteries to help prevent fires:

• Only purchase and use devices, batteries and charging equipment that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly.

• Use charging equipment that is only compatible with your device. To be safe, use only the charging equipment that is supplied with your device.

• Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.

• Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycling is always the best option. Take the batteries to a battery recycling location or contact your local waste department for disposal instructions.

• Stop using your device if the battery shows signs of damage, such as an unusual odor, excessive heat, popping sounds, swelling or change in color.

• Only have device repairs performed by a qualified professional.

The Granby Fire Marshal’s Office encourages residents to learn more about the hazards of lithium-ion batteries. By better understanding how lithium-ion battery fires start, people can take the necessary steps to minimize associated risks and safely use their electronics and other devices powered by these batteries.

Learn more about the campaign and download free safety tip sheets at nfpa.org/lithiumionsafety