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Most household electronics, from smartphones and tablets to laptops, e-cigarettes, lawn tools, headphones, and toys, rely on lithium-ion batteries. While these batteries are powerful and convenient, they can overheat, catch fire, or explode if damaged or misused.
To address these risks, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ for more than a century, has set the 2025 theme as “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” Fire Prevention Week will run October 5–11, 2025.
Although most lithium-ion batteries are used safely, incidents of fires and explosions have increased in recent years. The campaign highlights safe practices for buying, charging, and disposing of these batteries:
- Buy only listed products that meet nationally recognized safety standards.
- Charge devices safely using manufacturer-approved cables, following instructions, and avoiding soft surfaces like beds or couches.
- Recycle responsibly, since throwing lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins can cause fires.
Fire Prevention Week is the oldest U.S. public health observance on record, with local fire departments, schools, and organizations leading community education efforts each October.
More information and resources can be found at fpw.org, sparky.org, and sparkyschoolhouse.org.
