Charge Into Fire Safety This Fire Prevention Week

October 4-10 is National Fire Prevention Week, and this year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.” Many businesses rely on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to power tools, equipment, vehicles, and everyday devices like phones and laptops. When damaged, improperly stored, or charged incorrectly, these batteries can overheat and start a fire.

A few simple steps today can help protect your employees, property, and business from preventable fire losses.

Five Simple Battery Safety Tips

  • Use the Right Charger: Always use the charger provided by the manufacturer or an approved replacement. Using incompatible chargers can increase the risk of overheating and battery damage.

  • Charge on a Hard, Flat Surface: Avoid charging batteries on soft surfaces or near materials that can trap heat. A stable, well-ventilated location helps batteries charge more safely.

  • Unplug When Fully Charged: Disconnect batteries and devices once charging is complete. Leaving devices plugged in longer than necessary can generate excess heat.

  • Give Larger Batteries Extra Space: Items like e-bikes, scooters, and battery-powered equipment should be charged away from exits and combustible materials whenever possible.

  • Watch for Warning Signs: Stop using any battery that becomes unusually hot, swells, leaks, smokes, or produces an unusual odor. Damaged batteries should be removed from service immediately and disposed of according to local recycling or hazardous waste requirements.

Complimentary Fire Prevention Resources

Your Selective policy includes complimentary access to the Risk Management Center in MySelective, where you’ll find practical resources designed to help you identify and address business risks, such as improper rechargeable lithium-ion battery usage, before they result in a loss.

To support your fire prevention efforts, you can check out:

  • Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries Assessment – A quick online assessment that evaluates your battery safety practices and provides personalized best practices to address potential risks.

  • Lithium Battery Handling (Meeting Kit) – A ready-to-use meeting kit on the safe storage, handling, and charging of lithium-ion batteries.

  • Lithium Battery Safety (Meeting Kit) – Explains why batteries overheat and how to help prevent battery-related fires.

  • Auto – Working Safely with EV (Meeting Kit) – Covers fire and electrical hazards associated with electric vehicles and large battery systems.

  • Forklift Battery Use & Maintenance (Meeting Kit) – Reviews safe charging and maintenance practices for battery-powered forklifts.

  • A Battery Can Become a Time-Bomb (Safety Talk) – A short safety talk that raises awareness of battery-related fire risks.

Fire Hazards Beyond Lithium-Ion Batteries

Rechargeable lithium-ion battery fires aren’t the only fire risk caused by heat buildup. Materials such as oily rags, stains, varnishes, and cleaning solvents can also ignite through spontaneous combustion when handled or stored improperly.

The Risk Management Center offers additional assessments and resources to help you identify and address these exposures, including the Ignitable Liquids Assessment and the Spontaneous Combustion Assessment.