The 2026 Fire Prevention Week theme is “Charge into Fire Safety™”. Starting in 1925 as an observance of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, Fire Prevention week is the longest running public health observance in the United States. The Great Chicago Fire killed approximately 300 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed 17,000 structures, and burned over 2,000 acres of land.
One of the biggest fire risks today is associated with lithium-ion batteries. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends the following preventative tips:
- Only charge devices with cords that came with it or from an approved manufacturer.
- Buy products listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as United Laboratories (UL), Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL), or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) that meet important safety standards.
- Charge devices on hard, flat surfaces like tables, desks, or bare floors.
- Unplug the device when it is fully charged.
- Charge large devices like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside when possible and never block a building exit with the device.
- Stop using a device if it is hot, smells strange, leaks, smokes, or makes a popping or hissing sound.
- When flying, keep devices where you can see them when charging and never charge an e-cigarette or vape device while on a plane.
