Charge Into Fire Safety: Smart Charging Habits for Fire Prevention Week
This week is National Fire Prevention Week, October 4–10, 2026, and the theme for this year is, Charge into Fire Safety. The campaign from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) focuses on simple, everyday habits that keep battery-powered devices safe.
Six Habits for Safer Charging
- Don’t chance a cheap charger. Use the charger and cord that came with your device, or a replacement approved by the manufacturer. Bargain-bin chargers may not regulate power properly.
- Soft surface? Hard pass. Charge on a hard, flat surface like a table, desk or bare floor. Beds, couches and pillows trap heat and block airflow, which can cause a battery to overheat.
- Feels hot? Stop using it. If a device gets very hot, starts to swell, smells strange, leaks, smokes, or makes popping or hissing sounds, stop using it right away. A damaged battery can start a fire.
- Fully charged? Time to unplug. Leaving a device plugged in after it’s charged adds heat and stress to the battery. Try not to charge overnight or while you’re away from home.
- Tools and rides, charge outside. When possible, charge e-bikes, scooters and power-tool batteries outdoors, and never where they could block a door or hallway. These larger batteries store more energy, and fires can grow quickly if one fails.
- Plug in to safety. Buy devices, batteries and chargers listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL, ETL or CSA. Look for the mark on the packaging or the product itself.
If a Battery Starts to Fail
Watch for heat, swelling, an odd smell, leaking, smoke, or popping and hissing sounds. If it’s safe to do so, unplug the device and move it away from anything that can burn. If there’s smoke or fire, get everyone out, close the door behind you, and call 9-1-1 from outside.
E-Bikes and Scooters: A Note for Fall
As the weather turns colder, a lot of e-bikes and scooters move indoors for the season. Before yours comes inside, give it a once-over. Look for cracks, dents or swelling on the battery pack, and replace damaged batteries with ones made or approved by the manufacturer.
Store and charge them away from exits, stairways and bedrooms. In an apartment or condo, check with your building management about where charging is allowed. A garage, patio or other space with a clear path outside is the better choice whenever you have one.
Don’t Toss Old Batteries in the Trash
Lithium-ion batteries should never go in your garbage or recycling cart. A crushed battery can spark a fire in a collection truck or at a sorting facility. Instead, put a piece of clear tape over the terminals (or seal each battery in its own plastic bag) and take it to a battery drop-off location. Many hardware and electronics stores accept rechargeable batteries for recycling at no charge. The Township holds electronics recycling events often throughout the year. Visit mainetown.com to learn when the next one is happening!
A Good Week to Check Your Smoke Alarms
Fire Prevention Week is also a good reminder to test every smoke alarm in your home. Press the test button once a month and replace any alarm that is more than 10 years old — you’ll find the manufacture date on the back. Many newer alarms have sealed 10-year lithium batteries, so there’s no battery to swap; when they reach the end of their life, the whole alarm gets replaced.
Maine Township residents are served by several fire departments — including Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Niles and Glenview, and the North Maine Fire Protection District in parts of unincorporated Maine Township. These are great resources to learn more about how to protect yourself and your neighbors.
Learn More
Find tip sheets, videos and family activities from NFPA at fpw.org.
Small actions make a big difference. Take a minute this week to check how — and where — your household charges its devices.