Jackson Fire kicks off Fire Prevention Week, warns of lithium-ion battery risk

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson Fire urges residents to know risks of lithium-ion batteries.

The City of Jackson Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association, the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 100 years, to promote this year’s  campaign, “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-ion Batteries in your Home.”

It highlights how important it is to buy, charge, and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely.

Most of the electronics we use in our homes every day — smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, and toys, to name just a few — are powered by lithium-ion batteries. In fact, most everything that’s rechargeable uses this type of battery.

“A lot of our things that we’re buying now – they’re made with the lithium-ion batteries,” said Duane Seals, Community Risk Reduction Specialist, Jackson Fire. “If they’re overcharged, or overheat, or damaged, they can have what is called thermal runaway – where it just catches on fire real fast and explodes – and it can light up everything in seconds.”

In support of this year’s campaign, the fire department is hosting a “truck-or-treat” event on October 11 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at the department’s administration building, located at 720 South Highland Avenue.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Jackson, please contact the Jackson Fire Department at (731) 425-8350.

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