(Southeastern IN) – This is fire prevention week, and area firefighters are offering tips to keep you safe from dangers posed by batteries and electronic devices.
This year’s fire prevention week theme is “Charge into Fire Safety,” according to the Batesville and Greensburg fire departments, and is focused on fire dangers from battery powered devices.
Firefighters say lithium-ion batteries power our everyday lives, but they also come with risks.
They say you should always use the charging cord that came with your device and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you need a new charger, you should buy one from the original manufacturer.
You should always charge devices on a hard surface, and not under your pillow, in your bed or on the couch.
And when your device is fully charged, you should unplug it to reduce the risk of overcharging.
Firefighters say you should also be alert to the dangers of disposing of rechargeable batteries.
They say those should be kept out of regular trash and recycling.
Instead, used rechargeable batteries should be taken to a designated collection location.
