Think about how many battery-powered devices you charged this week. A phone on your desk, a power tool in the garage or an e-bike ready for tomorrow’s commute. Charging is so routine that it is easy to give little thought to how or where we do it.
That is the focus for this year’s Fire Prevention Week. Its theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” calls attention to everyday choices that can reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. It is a timely reminder that battery safety begins with purchasing certified products, continues while a product is still in use and remains important when that product or its battery is ready to be recycled.
Small charging habits matter
Using the charger supplied with a device, or one approved by its manufacturer, is a good place to start. Devices should be charged on a hard, flat surface rather than on a bed or couch, where heat can build up. They should be unplugged once fully charged. Larger items, such as e-bikes and scooters, need particular care and should never block an exit while charging.
It is also important to recognize when something is wrong. A battery or device that becomes unusually hot, swells, leaks, smells strange or makes a hissing sound should no longer be used or charged. A damaged battery needs special attention when it is time for disposal; it does not belong in a regular battery collection box.
These decisions happen in homes and workplaces every day. Collectively, they are part of a broader culture of battery safety.
Responsibility continues after use
Once a battery reaches the end of its useful life, where it goes next matters. Batteries placed in household garbage or curbside recycling can be crushed or damaged during collection and processing, creating a fire risk for waste workers and facilities. Taking them to an appropriate battery collection location helps keep them out of those waste streams.
The scale of this work is growing. In 2025, Canadians recycled more than 8 million kilograms of batteries through Call2Recycle programs, bringing the total collected since 1997 to more than 60 million kilograms. Yet weight tells only part of the story. The batteries collected vary in size, chemistry and condition. Each must be managed with the safety practices suited to it.
You too can get involved by taking advantage of the many tools and resources available to help spread the word about battery safety in your community.