Fire Prevention Week is observed annually during the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This devastating event, which began on October 8th, resulted in the deaths of over 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed more than 17,000 structures. While many have heard the story of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern, the true cause of the fire was never officially determined. What is certain is how the city’s wooden structures and a series of unfortunate circumstances, including dry weather and overwhelmed firefighters, allowed a small barn fire to turn into a massive disaster.

By 1911, the Fire Marshals Association of North America recognized the need to raise awareness about fire safety, launching the first National Fire Prevention Day. This later evolved into Fire Prevention Week in 1922, with President Calvin Coolidge officially proclaiming the first Fire Prevention Week in 1925. He emphasized the urgent need for fire prevention, noting that most fire-related losses were preventable.

Since then, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored Fire Prevention Week, selecting a new theme each year to focus on a specific aspect of fire safety. For 2025, the theme is “Charge into Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”

Most of the electronics we use in our homes every day, including smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, and toys, are powered by lithium-ion batteries. In fact, most everything that’s rechargeable uses this type of battery.

If not used correctly or if damaged, lithium-ion batteries can overheat, start a fire, or even explode. To reduce these risks, look around your home, workplace, vehicle, or jobsite and know which devices are powered by them. This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps people understand the importance of using these batteries correctly to prevent fires and to follow the Buy, Charge, and Recycle Safely approach.

To help reduce these risks, follow these practical steps for buying, charging, and recycling lithium-ion batteries safely.

Buy only listed products

• When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, take time to research it. Look for a stamp from a nationally recognized testing lab on the packaging and product, which means that it meets important safety standards.
• Many products sold online and in stores may not meet safety standards and could increase the risk of fire.

Charge devices safely

• Always use the cables that come with the product to charge it. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
• If you need a new charger, buy one from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved.
• Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t charge it under a pillow, on a bed, or on a couch. This could cause a fire.
• Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.

Store batteries safely

• Keep lithium-ion batteries in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Avoid storing batteries in areas where they can be punctured or damaged.
• For larger battery-powered tools or devices, follow manufacturer instructions for proper storage to reduce the risk of overheating or fire.

Recycle batteries responsibly

• Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could catch fire.
• Recycling your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location is the best way to dispose of them. Visit call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you.

As we observe Fire Prevention Week 2025, it’s clear that fire safety in our homes, workplaces, vehicles, and on the jobsite has evolved just as much as the devices we rely on every day. As powerful and convenient as lithium-ion batteries are, they come with real risks that can’t be ignored. With these batteries powering nearly everything from toys to tablets, understanding how to Buy, Charge, and Recycle Safely is more important than ever. At Oliver Fire Protection & Security, we’re proud to support the NFPA’s mission by helping families and businesses recognize the small steps that prevent big disasters. Whether it’s following proper charging practices, storing devices safely, or responsibly recycling old batteries, this week is a reminder that lithium-ion fire safety is in our hands and every precaution counts. During the week of October 5–11, visit our LinkedIn and Facebook pages as we share vital information, best practices, and commercial solutions to help protect yourself, your clients, your projects, and your reputation.