Fire Prevention Week 2025 puts lithium ion battery safety in focus

Fire Prevention Week 2025: what to know and how to act

Overview

Fire Prevention Week runs from 5 to 11 October 2025.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium Ion Batteries in Your Home.”

The core public message is simple: buy safely, charge safely, recycle safely.

See NFPA’s campaign hub for dates, materials, and downloads: NFPA Fire Prevention Week.

What Fire Prevention Week is and why it falls in October

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of 9 October to mark the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

NFPA is the international sponsor and curates resources used by authorities, schools, and businesses worldwide.

A concise overview appears in NFPA Journal’s coverage.

2025 theme at a glance

The 2025 theme addresses lithium ion batteries used in everyday home devices, from phones and laptops to e bikes and power tools.

NFPA’s press announcement confirms the focus and dates: NFPA press release.

The supporters page shows the breadth of participating organisations: FPW supporters.

“Lithium ion batteries are powerful, convenient, and they’re just about everywhere.”

Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of outreach and advocacy, stressed the need for clear public guidance.

“Making sure the public knows how to use them safely is critical to minimizing the potential risks they pose.”

Both quotes appear in industry coverage of the NFPA announcement: Security Sales & Integration.

Three key actions for 2025

Buy safely, charge safely, recycle safely.

The campaign frames household behaviour around these three actions, supported by tip sheets and visuals.

NFPA provides ready to use materials on selection, charging, storage, and disposal: lithium ion safety hub and consumer tip sheet PDF.

Quick guide for households: how to buy

Choose devices and replacement batteries that are certified by a recognised testing laboratory such as UL, ETL, or CSA.

Avoid unbranded chargers and aftermarket batteries without proof of listing, even if the price is lower.

Reference: NFPA lithium ion safety hub.

Quick guide for households: how to charge

Use the charger and cable supplied with the device or a manufacturer approved equivalent.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid prolonged unsupervised charging.

Charge on a hard, non combustible surface away from bedding, sofas, or piles of papers.

Keep devices out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources while charging.

Reference: NFPA tip sheet PDF.

If a battery is hot, swollen, leaking, or giving off odour, stop using it, move it away from anything that can burn if safe to do so, and seek advice from your local fire and rescue service.

NFPA’s consumer sheet explains warning signs and immediate steps: consumer tip sheet.

Quick guide for households: how to store and dispose

Do not put lithium ion batteries or devices in household rubbish or in standard kerbside recycling bins.

Use a dedicated battery recycling point or a manufacturer take back scheme.

NFPA points residents to certified recycling options and the reasons standard bins are unsafe: FPW tip sheet PDF.

Core NFPA resources to use and share

NFPA provides public education resources that fire services, schools, landlords, facility managers, and resident groups can distribute.

The materials include lithium ion battery safety, smoke alarms, home escape planning, cooking safety, and electrical safety.

Start with the main hub and downloads: Fire Prevention Week and lithium ion battery safety.

Suggested activities for organisations during FPW

Hold a short battery safety toolbox talk for staff, covering approved chargers, safe charging areas, and reporting of damaged devices.

Update workplace policies to set clear rules on personal device charging, storage, and disposal points.

Audit communal charging setups in offices and residential blocks, removing improvised extensions and multi adapters.

Promote the three NFPA actions on posters, intranet pages, tenant newsletters, and social media.

Coordinate with local retailers or repair shops to highlight certified products and authorised service.

Useful context for planning activities appears in NFPA’s updates and partner communications: NFPA Journal explainer and Capitol Hill briefing note.

Frequently asked questions

When is Fire Prevention Week in 2025

It runs from Sunday 5 October to Saturday 11 October 2025.

Source: NFPA Fire Prevention Week.

Why is it always in October

It is held during the week of 9 October to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Background: NFPA Journal explainer.

What is the official theme this year

“Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium Ion Batteries in Your Home.”

Announcement: NFPA press release.

Who runs Fire Prevention Week

NFPA leads the campaign and publishes public education tools that local agencies and organisations adapt.

See: FPW hub.

What are the three steps in the 2025 campaign

Buy only listed products, charge devices safely, and recycle batteries responsibly.

See: SSI summary of NFPA messaging and NFPA tip sheet.

What charging habits should households avoid

Do not charge on beds or sofas, do not cover devices while charging, and avoid long periods of unattended charging.

Reference: NFPA tip sheet PDF.

How do I recognise a listed battery or charger

Look for a safety mark from a nationally recognised testing lab such as UL, ETL, or CSA on the device or packaging.

Reference: NFPA lithium ion safety hub.

Can lithium ion batteries go in household recycling

No. Use a battery recycling point or manufacturer programme.

Guidance: FPW tip sheet PDF.

A short, ready-to-use message for public channels

Fire Prevention Week runs from 5 to 11 October, and NFPA’s theme is lithium ion safety in the home.

Households are asked to buy listed products, charge devices safely, and recycle batteries responsibly.

Community groups and employers can download free, ready made materials here: NFPA Fire Prevention Week and lithium ion battery safety resources.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

Lithium ion devices are now present across homes, workplaces, and public spaces, which shifts risk from a specialist hazard to an everyday one.

Fire Prevention Week provides a defined window to reinforce simple controls that reduce incident frequency and severity without new equipment spend.

The NFPA three step message is easy to brief, audit, and monitor across housing, education, healthcare, retail, and offices.

Resources are free, translate well into UK contexts, and support existing local campaigns on safe charging and responsible disposal.

For dates, assets, and more context, start with the FPW hub, the press release, and the lithium ion safety hub.