Fire Safety Month (October 2025)

Charge into Fire Safety
Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home

Most of the electronics we use in our homes every day are powered by lithium-ion batteries. In fact, most everything that's rechargeable uses this kind of battery:

• E-bikes
• E-vehicles
• E-scooters
• Golf carts
• Hoverboards
• Power tools
• Laptops
• Smart watches
• Tablets
• Mobile phones
• E-cigarettes/vapes
• Headphones
• Cordless vacuum cleaners
• Remote control cars
• Drones
• Toys

Lithium-Ion Batteries store a lot of energy in a small place. These batteries can overheat, start a fire, or explode if overcharged or damaged. By learning how to buy, charge, and recycle these batteries safely, you can prevent a fire in your home.

• Buy only listed products. When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery look for a safety certification mark such as UL, ETL, or CSA.
• Charge devices safely. Always use the cables that came with the product to charge. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Buy new chargers from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved.
• Charge your device on a hard surface. Don't overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it's fully charged.
• Stop using your device right away if the battery smells weird, gets too hot, makes popping noises, changes in shape or color. If it is safe, move the device away from anything that can catch fire. Call 9-1-1.
• Recycle batteries responsibly. Don't throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire.
• Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit call2recyclr.org to find a recycling spot near you.

National Fire Protection Association
The Leading Information and Knowledge Resource on Fire, Electrical, and Related Hazards.
nfpa.org/education