THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 3, 2025 Page 9 Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, 2025, to address lithium-ion battery risks and ways to minimize them M ost of the electronics in our homes — smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones and toys, to name just a few — are powered by lithium-ion batteries. However, if not used correctly or damaged, lithium-ion batteries can overheat and start a fire or explode. In response to these potential risks, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ for more than 100 years — has announced “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week, which is from October 5-11 this year. “Lithium-ion batteries are powerful, convenient, and they’re just about everywhere,” said NFPA VP of Outreach and Advocacy Lorraine Carli. “MakPIETRANTONIO | FROM PAGE 4 panied by a stormwater runoff system to prevent flooding on the street. Pietrantonio, who was the Everett’s Dept. of Public Works director under Mayor Carlo DeMaria until he left to become Operations Manager for the Melrose Public Works Dept. in 2019, had no comment when asked about the issue before the City Council meeting on Monday, September 22. Pietrantonio will appear once again before the Board of Appeal on Monday, October 20th and curb cut. Ward 3 member Anthony DiPierro sponsored a September 22nd meeting agenda item asking the Dept. of Engineering or Public Works to address the curbing at the intersection of Sycamore and Ferry Streets in his Ward following reports of residents tripping on them. He’s very familiar with the area, having grown up on Sycamore and said some people have had trouble finding wheelchair access ramps and are tripping on the curbs. He suggested plants be installed or color coding be used to distinguish the ramp from the sidewalk. “There’s enough space to differentiate what’s there,” he feels. The matter was referred to regarding his driveway ing sure the public knows how to use them safely is critical to minimizing the potential risks they pose.” According to NFPA, devices powered by lithium-ion batteries are largely used without incident. However, reports of fires and explosions involving lithium-ion batteries have been on the rise in recent years, reinforcing the importance of better educating the public about how to use, handle and recycle them safely. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” provides the information, guidance, and resources needed to buy, charge and dispose of/recycle lithium-ion batteries safely, with a focus on the following messages: BUY only listed products · When buying a product that the appropriate City departments for review. The Council also heard from City Solicitor Colleen Mejia about tree work waivers at Pietrantonio’s request. He said a McKinley Street resident had been mistakenly asked to sign a waiver exempting the City from liability for work by Tree Warden Jacob St. Louis because the work was on public property not private property. “He shouldn’t have dropped off the waiver,” Pietrantonio said. “I called the Tree Warden and he realized he shouldn’t have. They didn’t go on private property.” Mejia explained when City employees work on private property, property owners are asked to sign a hold harmless or waiver of liability document, although “we can’t ask the resident to waive all liability. Gross negligence would be extent from that.” She also said some changes have been made in the waiver and the Tree Warden has been informed about them. St. Louis was not present. The resident affected, Laura Fahey spoke in Public Participation but didn’t address the issue directly. She only said if the City can sue residents for things like unkempt property or improper trash storage, residents should be able to sue the City for the same things as well. uses a lithium-ion battery, take time to research it. Look for a stamp from a nationally recognized testing lab on the packaging and product, which means that it meets established safety standards. · Many products sold online and in stores might not meet safety standards and could increase the risk of fire. CHARGE devices safely · Always use the cables that come with the product to charge it; charge the device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. · If you need a new charger, buy one from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved. · Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t charge it under a pillow or on a bed or a couch. This could cause a fire. · Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged. DISPOSE OF/RECYCLE batteries responsibly · Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins, because they could catch fire. · Recycling your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location is the best way to dispose of them. Visit www.call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you. Fire Prevention Week is celebrated throughout North America every October and is the oldest U.S. public health observance on record. For more than 100 years, Fire Prevention Week has worked to educate people about the risk of home fires and ways to minimize them. Local fire departments, schools and community organizations play a key role in bringing Fire Prevention Week to life in their communities each year and spreading basic but critical fire safety messages. To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” visit fpw.org. Additional Fire Prevention Week resources for children, caregivers and educators can be found at sparky.org and sparkyschoolhouse.org. Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more safety information. Also visit nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at nfpa.org/freeaccess.
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