Fire Prevention Week 2026: safe charging for lithium-ion batteries

Evenings are when many of us plug everything in: phones, laptops, earbuds, e-bikes, scooters, power tools. That makes this a good hour to talk about Fire Prevention Week, which runs October 4 through 10 this year.

The National Fire Protection Association chose the theme "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower." It is the second year in a row that the campaign focuses on lithium-ion batteries, the rechargeable batteries inside most of our devices. Fire Prevention Week is held during the week of the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and NFPA calls it the longest-running public health observance in the United States.

The campaign centers on everyday charging habits. The materials shared so far point to three questions. Does the charger match the device? Where is the battery charging? How long does it stay plugged in? One of NFPA's printable reminders simply says to charge on hard surfaces, and fire safety writers have pointed to two common risks: a phone left charging on a bed, and an e-bike battery charging in a hallway that people need as a way out.

If a battery looks swollen or damaged, or gets unusually hot, stop using it and check with the manufacturer or your local waste agency about what to do next. NFPA's site, firepreventionweek.org, has a Safe Charging Tips sheet in English and Spanish that is easy to print and share with family, including kids who charge their own devices.

Tonight, look at where your household charges its largest battery, such as an e-bike or laptop, and move it somewhere hard, open and away from the exit if it is not already.