MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Hutchinson Fire Department Promotes Safe Charging During Fire Prevention Week
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Fire Department is encouraging residents to practice safe charging habits as it marks Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5-9, with a focus on lithium-ion battery safety.
The department’s “Safe Charging” message urges residents to recognize which everyday devices use lithium-ion batteries and follow proper charging instructions to reduce the risk of fires.
Those devices include cellphones, laptops, portable speakers, gaming equipment, electric toothbrushes and cordless power tools.
Fire officials recommend using devices tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Residents should follow manufacturers’ instructions, use only batteries designed for their devices and charge them with the supplied cord or an approved replacement.
Devices should be unplugged once fully charged. The department also advises against charging devices under pillows, on beds or on couches.
Temperature and storage conditions matter, too. The department recommends keeping batteries at room temperature when possible and avoiding charging them at temperatures below 32 degrees or above 105 degrees. Batteries should be stored away from flammable or combustible materials.
The department’s Community Risk Reduction Division is sharing the guidance this month to help residents protect their homes and families through everyday charging habits.