WHEELING, W.Va. – The Wheeling Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” The 2025 theme 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.
If not used correctly or if damaged, lithium-ion batteries can overheat, start a fire, or even explode. To reduce these risks, look around your home — it’s important to know which devices are powered by them.
“Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere — from phones and laptops to power tools and toys,” said Assistant Fire Chief Deric Jamison. “While convenient, they can overheat or catch fire if misused. This year’s campaign aims to raise awareness and promote safer habits at home.”
National Fire Prevention Week (October 5–11, 2025) — now in its 103rd year — was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of October 8–10, 1871. That devastating fire killed approximately 300 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned over 2,000 acres. Since 1922, FPW has been observed during the week of October 9 to raise public awareness about fire safety and prevention.
WFD’s Bureau of Fire Prevention offers these key safety tips and guidelines:
- Buy smart: Choose lithium-ion battery products that have been tested by a nationally recognized lab to ensure safety standards.
- Use proper chargers: Always use manufacturer-provided or approved chargers and follow the device’s instructions.
- Charge safely: Charge on hard surfaces, never on soft furniture, and unplug once fully charged to prevent overheating or fire.
- Dispose responsibly: Recycle batteries and devices at certified battery recycling locations like call2recycle.org
As part of Fire Prevention Week, WFD will host informational tables at the following local stores from 10 a.m. to Noon:
- Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Mount DeChantal Kroger
- Wednesday, Oct. 8 – Warwood Kroger
- Thursday, Oct. 9 – Elm Grove Riesbeck’s
Firefighters will be on hand to answer questions and provide free educational materials.
WFD also reminds residents to change the batteries in their smoke alarms twice a year, ideally during Daylight Saving Time changes. This year’s “Fall Back” date is 2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 2.
