Smiths Falls Fire Prevention Officer, Lieutenant Jason Smith
Something as simple as plugging in a phone is getting extra attention during Fire Prevention Week.
The annual campaign is now on, with the National Fire Protection Association choosing “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower” as its 2026 theme.
Smiths Falls Fire Prevention Officer Jason Smith says it is a timely message because rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have become part of almost every household.
Those batteries can be found in everything from phones and laptops to power tools, toys, e-bikes and e-scooters.
Smith says the goal is not to make people afraid of the technology, but to encourage a few simple habits that can reduce the risk of a fire.
One starts with the charger.
Where the device is charged also matters. Smith recommends a hard, flat surface with room for heat to escape, rather than a bed, couch, pillow or blanket.
Residents should also pay attention to what their batteries are telling them. Excessive heat, swelling, unusual smells, smoke, buzzing or other strange noises can all be warning signs.
Damaged batteries should not be charged or ignored.
Smith says Fire Prevention Week is also a chance for families to revisit the basics: test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, know two ways out of the home and decide on an outdoor meeting place.
It is a week built around one theme, but Smith says the best result would be turning those reminders into habits that last all year.
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