Fire Prevention Week: Charging Into Safety
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced the theme for Fire Prevention Week 2025: "Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home." This year's campaign, which runs from October 5-11, focuses on educating the public on the safe use, charging, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries.
The Hazard of Lithium-Ion Batteries
NFPA highlights that while these batteries are commonplace in a wide variety of devices—from smartphones and laptops to power tools and e-bikes—they can pose a significant fire risk if not handled correctly. A damaged or improperly used battery can overheat and enter a state of thermal runaway. This is a rapid, uncontrollable chain reaction where the battery's temperature increases, releasing flammable and toxic gases, which can lead to fire or explosion.
NFPA's campaign centers around three key messages:
Buy only listed products: Look for a safety certification mark from a recognized testing laboratory (such as UL, ETL, or CSA) on the packaging and product itself.
Charge devices safely: Use the charging cables that came with the product or a manufacturer-approved replacement. Charge devices on a hard, non-flammable surface, and unplug them once they are fully charged.
Recycle responsibly: Do not throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins. They can cause fires during transport or at recycling facilities. The NFPA recommends taking them to a designated battery recycling location.
NFPA's Role in Hazard Mitigation
NFPA develops standards and codes that address fire and life safety, including hazards related to lithium-ion batteries. NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, provides a framework for the safe deployment of these battery systems in a variety of settings. This standard addresses a number of safety measures, including:
Location and Spacing: Proper spacing and ventilation for battery units to prevent overheating and fire spread.
Fire Suppression: The use of fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, to effectively control potential fires.
Monitoring Systems: The use of Battery Management Systems (BMS) to monitor battery health, including voltage and temperature, and to trigger protective actions if anomalies are detected.
These standards, while often focused on larger, industrial applications, provide principles that are relevant to residential safety as well. The NFPA's Fire Prevention Week campaign extends this knowledge to the general public, providing actionable steps to help prevent home fires caused by these increasingly common devices.
Sources
NFPA.org: "Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” is theme for Fire Prevention Week, October 5–11, 2025."