Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Shares Fire Prevention Week Safety Tips

Next week, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue (SFFR) is celebrating National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10, and this year’s theme centers around lithium-ion battery safety and charging best practices. The theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower," and focuses on everyday steps residents can take to reduce the risk of battery fires at home and in the community. SFFR has recorded an increase in lithium-ion battery fires in recent years. 

"Safe battery charging habits can make a real difference in preventing fires," said Kyle Blakeslee, Fire and Life Safety Educator for SFFR. "Chargeable devices have become everyday items in people’s lives, but they should still be treated with care and caution due to the potential danger they pose." 

Battery Safety Tips 

SFFR recommends residents follow these steps to prevent lithium-ion battery fires: 

• Use only chargers designed for the device. 
• Stop using batteries or chargers that are damaged, overheating or recalled. 
• Do not charge devices on beds, couches, pillows or other soft surfaces. 
• Unplug devices once they are fully charged. 
• Charge larger devices, such as tools and ride-on equipment, outdoors when possible. 
• Do not place lithium-ion batteries or battery-powered devices in household trash or recycling bins. 

Residents can drop off lithium-ion batteries and battery-powered devices at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 1015 E. Chambers St., at the end of their useful life. Find more information at siouxfalls.gov/battery-recycling. 

Additional Fire Safety Reminders 

Fire Prevention Week also serves as a reminder to prevent other common home fires. SFFR encourages residents to: 

• Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. 
• Keep a lid nearby to cover a small grease fire. Never use water on a grease fire. 
• Fully extinguish cigarettes, cigars and other smoking materials before disposal. 
• Never discard smoking materials in mulch, leaves, grass, trash or other combustible materials. 
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month. 
• Maintain a home escape plan and practice it at least twice a year. 
• Sleep with bedroom doors closed. A closed door can slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire while residents escape or wait for firefighters. 

Fire Prevention Week began in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of Oct. 8-9, 1871. The annual observance gives fire departments and communities an opportunity to share fire safety information and help families prepare for emergencies. 

Throughout October, SFFR will participate in Stop, Drop and Roll Fire Prevention Storytimes with Siouxland Libraries. Find locations and times at siouxlandlib.org/programs-and-education.  

SFFR will also attend the Girl Scouts BIG Event and Feria de Salud on Oct. 3; the third annual Public Safety Trunk or Treat on Oct. 20; and the Not So Scary Trail or Treat at Jacobson Plaza on Oct. 24.