The Dauphin Fire Department is charging into fire safety.
Fire Prevention Week begins on Sunday and runs throughout the week. This year's theme is lithium-ion batteries in your home.
Lithium-ion batteries power cellphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and so much more. Their high energy density, light-weight nature, and ability to be recharged make them perfect for devices and systems requiring long-lasting power solutions.
Cam Abrey with the Dauphin Fire Department says Dauphin is fortunate not to have many issues come up with the batteries. However, more issues are being seen around the world. Abrey says it's important to look around your home to identify which devices use lithium-ion batteries.
When purchasing a product with lithium-ion batteries, Cam says take the time to research it to ensure it has a ULC label or CSA stamp. If it does, that means it's nationally recognized and tested. That means it meets important safety standards.
"If you are replacing lithium-ion batteries, make sure it's from the manufacturer itself," said Abrey. "We all know we can jump online and purchase cheaper batteries. However, they aren't always compatible with what has been manufactured. It's important to make sure that whatever you're replacing is with what the manufacturer suggests."
This is the time of year when baseboards are fired up for the first time and space heaters are used. While they both help us stay warm during the cold winter months, Abrey urges caution. It doesn't take much to start a fire.
"If you do have baseboard heat, make sure you have clearance around them before you turn them on," said Abrey. "Make sure no newspapers or dirty old socks have fallen on them during the summer when they weren't used. When it comes to candles, make sure you've got proper distances and that they're in a properly rated candle holder."
Fire Safety is important every day. This week, we shed some more light on it.
