Burlington Fire's Fire Prevention Week message: buy, charge and use lithium-ion batteries safely
For Fire Prevention Week 2026, Burlington Fire is urging residents to reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires, keep working smoke alarms on every storey, and keep rechargeable batteries out of the garbage and recycling.
The details
The message
Burlington Fire marked Fire Prevention Week 2026 with the message "Buy safe. Charge safe. Use safe.", the City of Burlington said in an October 5 release. It is encouraging residents to reduce the risk of fires from rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which power everyday devices such as smartphones, laptops, e-bikes, power tools and electric vehicles.
The City says lithium-ion batteries are generally safe when used properly, but that fire departments across Canada are responding to more battery fires than ever. Damaged, defective or improperly used batteries can overheat and fail, causing fast-moving fires with intense heat and toxic smoke.
Three steps
- Buy safe: purchase batteries, chargers and battery-powered devices from reputable manufacturers and retailers, and check that products carry recognized safety certifications.
- Charge safe: use manufacturer-approved charging equipment, charge on hard surfaces away from combustible materials, and avoid charging overnight.
- Use safe: watch for overheating, swelling, unusual odours, hissing noises, damage or smoke, and stop using the device immediately if any appear.
Alarms and disposal
Burlington Fire says every home should have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas, test them regularly and replace them every 10 years, and have a home escape plan that everyone practises. The City also says that, as of 2026, all homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages must have carbon monoxide alarms on every level and near all sleeping areas.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries should never be placed in the garbage or regular recycling, because they can be damaged during collection and processing and create a fire risk for workers, facilities and trucks, the City says. It points residents to Halton Region's online waste sorting tool for disposal options, and to burlington.ca/batterysafety for more on charging and warning signs.