Prevention and Public Education

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Join the Bismarck Fire Department this October in celebrating Fire Prevention Week. The campaign was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9th falls.

This year’s FPW campaign, "Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home," works to educate everyone about using these batteries safely. The campaign stresses how important it is to Buy, Charge, and Recycle safely when it comes to lithium-ion batteries. 

The Bismarck Fire Department offers these key safety tips for smoke alarms in the home.

  1. Buy only listed products. When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, look for a safety certificate mark such as UL, ETL, or CSA. This means it meets important safety standards.  
  2. 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.
  3. Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.
  4. STOP using your device right away if the battery smells weird, gets too hot, makes popping noises, or changes in shape or color. If it is safe, move the device away from anything that can catch fire. Call 9-1-1.
  5. Recycle batteries responsibly. Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire.
  6. Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you.