Every October, the fire service unites around a single theme for Fire Prevention Week, bringing education, awareness, and action to millions of families across North America. This year, from October 5–11, 2025, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has chosen one of the most urgent and timely safety topics of our era: lithium-ion batteries. The theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” underscores the growing risks these powerful but volatile energy sources pose in everyday life.

As someone who has spent two decades in fire protection, fire prevention, and construction safety, I have seen firsthand how our relationship with fire continues to evolve. My career has taken me from the firehouse to construction sites, through code inspections, and into boardrooms where safety policy is shaped. I have learned that while technology makes life easier, every advancement introduces new hazards. Lithium-ion batteries are no exception. These batteries power nearly every device we depend on: smartphones, laptops, tablets, power tools, e-bikes, scooters, toys, and even medical equipment. With their ubiquity comes an urgent responsibility to understand their risks, use them correctly, and develop habits that reduce the likelihood of fire.

The Growing Risk of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

When I began my fire service journey, the leading household fire risks were often rooted in cooking, heating equipment, electrical failures, and smoking materials. While those hazards remain prevalent, lithium-ion batteries have emerged as a modern-day threat with unique fire behavior. Unlike traditional fuel-based fires, lithium-ion battery fires can erupt suddenly, release toxic gases, and prove extremely difficult to extinguish.

I have responded to fires where an e-bike battery ignited in a garage, where a tablet caught fire on a child’s bed, and where power tools left charging overnight set off a sprinkler system in a commercial shop. In each case, the common factor was misuse or neglect of simple charging precautions. Unlike a stovetop fire that is often visible and immediate, the danger with batteries lies in the silent chemical reaction occurring within cells. If a battery overheats, becomes damaged, or is charged improperly, the risk of “thermal runaway” increases. Once thermal runaway begins, it can cause a chain reaction that results in an explosive release of energy, flames, and smoke.

As professionals, we must not underestimate how quickly these incidents can escalate. A small device can create a large-scale emergency in seconds. For families, this reality underscores why Fire Prevention Week 2025 is so important. Education is our best tool for prevention.

Safe Purchasing Practices

NFPA’s first key message this year is “Purchase Safely.” In my role as a safety inspector and construction safety professional, I emphasize to both contractors and consumers that not all batteries are created equal. The market is flooded with low-cost, uncertified batteries that lack proper quality controls. These products may save a few dollars at the point of purchase, but they come with hidden risks.

When I teach safety classes, I hold up two identical-looking power tool batteries. One is certified by a nationally recognized testing lab such as UL or ETL, the other is an aftermarket knockoff purchased online. Outwardly, they appear the same. Internally, the differences are stark. Certified batteries undergo rigorous testing for heat resistance, electrical safety, and overload protection. Non-certified versions may use substandard materials, skip protective circuitry, and lack safeguards against short circuits.

Consumers should always look for certification markings and purchase batteries from trusted retailers or directly from manufacturers. The same principle applies to chargers. A UL-certified device is designed with compatibility and safety in mind. A counterfeit charger may deliver inconsistent voltage, setting the stage for overheating and eventual fire. By encouraging families to buy safely, we can cut off a major source of risk before it enters the home.

Charging with Caution

Charging practices are where most incidents originate. In my inspections, I often see devices charging on upholstered furniture, beds, or even under pillows. This is a recipe for disaster. Charging generates heat, and placing a device on a soft, flammable surface traps that heat. Over time, the risk of ignition grows.

Families should be reminded to only charge on hard, non-flammable surfaces such as a tabletop, counter, or desk. Ventilation is critical. Devices should never be left to charge unattended overnight. It may feel convenient to plug in a phone at bedtime and leave it charging until morning, but overcharging stresses the battery and increases the chance of failure.

Equally important is using the charger that came with the device. Manufacturers design their chargers with specific voltage and current requirements in mind. Substituting with a generic charger introduces uncertainty. As I explain to apprentices in the field, “batteries and chargers are like dance partners. They need to move in step. If one leads too fast or too slow, both stumble.”

Warning signs must also be taken seriously. A bulging case, unusual odor, discoloration, or excessive heat are all indications that a battery is failing. At the firehouse, we have responded to calls where residents noticed these signs but continued using the device until it ignited. Recognizing the symptoms early and discontinuing use can prevent tragedy.

Responsible Recycling

The final message in NFPA’s campaign is “Recycle Responsibly.” This is often the most overlooked aspect of battery safety. Many people are unsure what to do with old batteries, so they toss them in household trash or recycling bins. This is dangerous. When crushed in a compactor or recycling facility, damaged batteries can spark fires that endanger workers and disrupt operations.

During my work with construction firms, I have seen entire waste containers ignite because lithium-ion batteries were discarded improperly. The resulting fires spread quickly and required full fire department response.

The solution is education and accessibility. Families should be directed to resources like Call2Recycle.org, which provide drop-off locations for safe disposal. Many hardware stores, electronics retailers, and municipal facilities now accept batteries. Making responsible recycling part of household routine ensures these hazardous materials are handled correctly from cradle to grave.

Lessons from the Field

Throughout my career, I have been guided by a simple principle: prevention is the most effective form of fire protection. My certifications as an NFPA Fire Inspector I & II and my experience as both a firefighter and safety leader have reinforced this lesson in countless ways. Codes, standards, and inspections are critical, but the true power lies in knowledge shared with the public.

For example, in one inspection of a healthcare facility, I found an entire storage room of power packs and mobility device batteries being charged on wooden shelving with no ventilation. The staff had no idea of the risk. By simply relocating chargers to metal shelving and instituting a schedule to unplug devices when full, we eliminated a significant hazard.

On construction sites, where power tools and battery packs are indispensable, I regularly remind crews that leaving batteries charging in toolboxes, on dusty plywood, or in unventilated trailers is not acceptable. We create designated charging stations on non-combustible surfaces with signage reminding workers to disconnect when full. These small changes prevent fires and protect livelihoods.

In residential settings, I have conducted community outreach events where we display damaged batteries and videos of thermal runaway. The visual impact is powerful. When families see how fast a battery can erupt, they begin to change their habits. Prevention is not abstract, it is real and immediate.

A Call to Action

Fire Prevention Week 2025 is an opportunity for us as professionals to unite around a message that can save lives. Whether you are a firefighter, inspector, safety manager, or educator, this year’s theme resonates across every sector. Lithium-ion battery safety is no longer a niche concern. It affects every household, every workplace, and every community.

We must continue to share best practices, engage with schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, and lead by example. NFPA’s campaign provides an excellent foundation, but it is our responsibility to bring the message to life. By demonstrating safe purchasing, charging, and recycling practices in our own lives, we set the standard for others to follow.

As I reflect on my own journey in fire safety, I am reminded that progress is often made one conversation at a time. A neighbor learning to recycle batteries. A construction worker reminded to unplug a charger. A child taught never to charge a toy on a bed. These seemingly small acts accumulate into a culture of prevention.

“Charge into Fire Safety” is more than a slogan. It is a call to vigilance in an era where the tools we rely on most can also be the source of great danger. The fire service, safety professionals, and NFPA members have the knowledge and authority to lead this conversation. The public depends on us to translate technical hazards into practical guidance they can apply at home.

By focusing on safe purchasing, cautious charging, and responsible recycling, we can reduce the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and prevent countless emergencies before they happen.

As Fire Prevention Week 2025 approaches, let us commit to making this theme resonate in every household, every workplace, and every community. The batteries that power our lives must not be allowed to endanger them. With education, vigilance, and shared responsibility, we can keep families safe today and for generations to come.