LaSalle Fire Service: Charge into Fire Safety, Oct. 4 to 10

LaSalle Fire Service marks Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4 to 10) with NFPA's Charge into Fire Safety theme. Right charger, hard surface, unplug when full, e-bikes outside away from exits. School visits and smoke-alarm door knocks planned.

The Town of LaSalle posted the release on Oct. 5. Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 4 to 10, 2026. This year's national theme, from the National Fire Protection Association, is Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.

LaSalle Fire Service says many everyday devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, tools, toys, e-bikes and scooters, run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Those batteries store a lot of energy in a small space. If they are damaged or charged the wrong way, the department says they can overheat, start a fire or explode.

Charging tips

The department lists these habits:

Use the cord and charger that came with the device, or one the manufacturer approved. The wrong charger can damage the battery and raise the fire risk.

Charge on a table, desk or other hard, flat surface. Do not charge on beds, couches or under pillows. Soft surfaces can trap heat and block airflow.

Stop using a device that feels very hot, starts to swell, is smoking or has a strange smell.

Unplug the device when it is fully charged. Do not leave it plugged in longer than needed.

Charge larger items such as e-bikes, scooters and power tools outside and away from exits. Those batteries store more energy, and fires can grow quickly if they fail.

Fire Chief Ed Thiessen, who is also Director of Fire Service, said the way people charge lithium-ion battery devices can help prevent home fires, and that it comes down to simple habits each time they plug in.

Local initiatives

During the week, LaSalle Fire Service says it is organizing fire safety education programs with local schools and a door-to-door smoke alarm campaign.

The department points residents to its website and social channels, and to www.fpw.org, for more lithium-ion battery safety information.

This Windsor News card is separate from the Tue morning Fire Prevention Week lithium-ion video, which draws on Windsor Fire and Rescue and EWSWA guidance.