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Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services warns of rising lithium-ion battery fires in Canada ahead of Fire Prevention Week, urging safe charging, storage and recycling.
Lithium-ion battery fires are rising across Canada, and Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services ( LFES) together with the City of Lethbridge are urging residents to charge, store and recycle batteries safely. The reminder comes ahead of Fire Prevention Week, which runs Oct. 4 through 10. The campaign addresses a growing safety risk linked to everyday devices such as phones, laptops, e-bikes, power tools and toys.
Battery Fires Spike Across Canada
Jonathan Fitzgerald, a waste and environment education and outreach analyst for the City of Lethbridge, said the problem is already visible locally. He noted that just the previous week there was a small fire in one of the city garbage trucks.
The city waste and recycling department reports that incidents involving fires have grown as more lithium-ion powered products enter homes. When batteries are placed in curbside carts, they end up in collection trucks where they are compacted.
Fitzgerald said that compaction can lead to fires, which pose a huge safety risk to residents and to staff. The danger is not limited to one type of device, because batteries are now common in many household items.
Charge Into Fire Safety Campaign
This year Fire Prevention Week is themed Charge into Fire Safety. The campaign focuses on three simple actions for residents.
The first action is to buy certified products. Residents should look for products tested and certified to Canadian safety standards, including CSA, ULC or ETL marks.
The second action is to charge devices safely. People should use the charging cord and power supply recommended for the product, and charge devices on a hard, stable surface. Batteries should never be charged on beds, couches or under pillows.
Damaged batteries should not be charged, and devices should be unplugged once charging is complete. The third action is to recycle batteries responsibly. Lithium-ion batteries and devices should never go in the garbage or recycling bin.
Thermal Runaway and Fire Risks
Neill O’Grady, a fire prevention officer with LFES, said almost every household has lithium-ion batteries. He explained that how residents choose to purchase, charge and dispose of these batteries can make a big difference in preventing fires.
Lithium-ion batteries store a significant amount of energy in a compact form. O’Grady said that if a battery is damaged, overheated or improperly charged, that energy can be released quickly and create a serious fire.
He said fires caused by lithium-ion batteries present their own challenges for firefighters. The amount of water needed depends on the size of the battery, but such fires can require large volumes of water to extinguish.
O’Grady described the process as a thermal runaway event. He said the fire perpetuates itself and works through the different cells until they are all damaged and spent.
Curbside Battery Collection and Events
To help residents dispose of batteries properly, the city will offer its curbside battery collection program from Nov. 17 through 27. Fitzgerald said residents can place household batteries in a clear plastic bag and set them out on their green cart on their collection day.
Residents can use a Ziplock bag from home, or they will receive bags in the mail. Damaged or improperly discarded batteries can ignite when crushed or compacted during collection and processing, so approved recycling locations are the safe option.
Throughout Fire Prevention Week, members of LFES will be at the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, Park Place Mall and Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre. They will answer questions and share information about lithium-ion battery safety, smoke alarms and other ways residents can reduce fire risk at home.
Lithium-Ion Batteries Lethbridge Fire Prevention Week Battery Recycling Canada LFES Thermal Runaway
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