October 5-11 is Fire Prevention Week
This year during Fire Prevention Week, Kamloops Fire Rescue is highlighting the hidden risks of lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we rely on daily, including cell phones, laptops, power tools, gaming consoles, baby monitors, vaping pens, and hearing aids. While convenient and powerful, these batteries can overheat, explode, and release toxic smoke if damaged, overcharged, or used with the wrong charger.
Read more below about how to purchase, use, charge, and dispose of lithium-ion batteries safely.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Fires are often sudden and unexpected, but with the right planning and preparations, you can keep you and your family safe. Simple preparations, like creating a home escape plan and regularly testing smoke alarms, can help reduce injuries and losses in the event of a fire.
When we fail to plan we risk panic or confusion leading to lost time and greater danger. Fire spreads faster while people hesitate. The increase in danger can affect not only your household but also neighbours, nearby properties and the first responders who come to your aid.
Be prepared for anything at home. Update plans regularly – Review escape routes and emergency contacts at least once a year.
Make a Plan to be Fire Safe at Home
Home Safety Checklist
- Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including inside and outside each sleeping area.
- Change smoke alarm batteries twice a year.
- It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms, so when one alarm sounds they all sound.
- Test all smoke alarms every month.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
- Have a carbon monoxide alarm on every level and outside each sleeping area.
- Test your carbon monoxide alarms monthly.
- Make sure all alarms can be heard from all areas of your home.
- Know where extinguishers are located in your home and how to use them.
- Only attempt to fight a fire after first getting everyone outside and calling 911.
- Ensure portable heaters have 3 ft. of clearance around them.
- Turn off portable heaters when going to bed or leaving the room for a long period of time.
- Check and/or service furnace and gas fireplaces annually.
- Have wood fireplace chimneys inspected and cleaned annually.
- Gas and/or wood fireplaces should have a screen to prevent burns to children.
- Ensure electrical outlets are not overloaded. Use a power bar with its own breaker.
- Do not use extension cords for permanent wiring.
- Do not run extension cords across doorways or under carpets and rugs.
- Make sure your electrical outlets are child safe - use child-safe covers.
- Ensure outlet and switch faceplates are secure, in place, and in good condition.
How to avoid overheating (the main cause of lithium-ion battery fires)
- Choose chargers that have one of the recognized Canadian certification marks: CSA, cUL, cETL.
- Always use the charger that came with the device. If you need a replacement, purchase directly from the device manufacturer to avoid a knock off brand.
- Never modify or tamper with the battery in any way.
- Check for signs of damage, if the battery is swollen or dented, don’t use the device.
- Never leave devices out in the sun, extreme cold or exposed to moisture. It can affect the battery on the inside.
- Don’t overcharge your batteries. Take them off change as soon as it reaches 100%.
- Always charge your devices on a hard, well-ventilated surface. Like a desk, side table or countertop.
STOP using the battery immediately if you notice:
- An odour
- A change in colour
- Overheating
- Change in shape
- Leaking
- Odd noises
If it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire.
To properly dispose of your batteries, do not throw in the garbage.
- Make sure candles are extinguished when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Keep candles two feet away from anything that can burn, such as clothing, curtains, blinds, etc.
- Candles should be in a non-combustible holder that won't tip over.
- Make sure bulbs in lighting fixtures are the correct wattage for the fixture to prevent overheating.
- Check that switches are in good condition and there is no evidence of arcing or overheating.
- Make sure your lamps are clear of combustibles and curtains and that they sit on a level, sturdy surface.
- Lamp shades should be used to protect the bulb in case the lamp tips over.
- Never drape clothing over a lamp to darken a room.
- Always stay in the kitchen while cooking - never leave food unattended on the stovetop.
- Keep towels, curtains, and other combustibles away from heat sources, such as the stove top.
- Keep the stove and oven clean and free of grease.
- Have a lid nearby to cover a pot or frying pan.
- Never carry a pot or frying pan that is on fire. The contents can spill over, spreading fire or seriously burning you.
- Unplug small appliances when they're not being used.
- Keep a fire extinguisher near your kitchen, close to an exit. The recommended size is 2A-1 OBC, and it should be tested every 6 years.
- Keep pan and pot handles turned inward so they can't be bumped.
- Keep your hot water tank at a safe temperature so children will not get burned.
- Keep matches and lighters in a safe place, out of children's reach.
- Store and properly label household chemicals and medications - out of children's reach.
- Never smoke in bed or where you might fall asleep. Smoking should be outside only.
- Remove debris such as leaves, twigs, and needles from around the house and under decks.
- Keep lawns mowed and irrigated and choose FireSmart plats for your yard.
- Enclose decks with non-combustible materials to discourage the collection of debris and embers.
- Keep firewood piles and other items stacked at least 10 metres from the house, especially during wildfire season.
- Ensure a clean, fire-resistant roof and clean eaves.
- Enclose soffits and vents to ensure embers cannot enter.
- Remove trees, bushes and other combustible material from the first 10 metres around the house. (i.e. Junipers and Cedars)
- Don't forget to consider any buildings or fences within 10 metres of the home and take steps to FireSmart them as well.
- Make sure your house number is visible from the street both day and night.
- Cigarettes should not be extinguished in planters, on grass, or in peat moss.
- Use an ashtray or other approved container for disposing of all smoking materials.
- Ensure pools and hot tubs are fenced and locked.
- Remove debris such as leaves, twigs, and needles from around the house and under decks.
- Keep lawns mowed and irrigated and choose FireSmart plats for your yard.
- Enclose decks with non-combustible materials to discourage the collection of debris and embers.
- Keep firewood piles and other items stacked at least 10 metres from the house, especially during wildfire season.
- Ensure a clean, fire-resistant roof and clean eaves.
- Enclose soffits and vents to ensure embers cannot enter.
- Remove trees, bushes and other combustible material from the first 10 metres around the house. (i.e. Junipers and Cedars)
- Don't forget to consider any buildings or fences within 10 metres of the home and take steps to FireSmart them as well.
