08/04/2026
CHARGE INTO FIRE SAFETY: Safe Charging Is a Superpower!
Hey Middleton and area!
From smartphones and laptops to power tools and e-bikes, our homes are filled with lithium-ion and household batteries. While they keep our lives moving, charging and disposing of them incorrectly can pose serious fire risks.
As we highlight 2026 Fire Prevention Week theme—"Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower"—the Middleton Fire Department wants to help you keep your home and family safe with these simple battery safety and disposal guidelines.
Safe Charging Practices at Home
• Use the Right Charger: Always use the manufacturer-provided charger or an officially approved replacement. Cheap, uncertified chargers can damage the battery and spark fires.
• Charge on Hard, Flat Surfaces: Charge devices on tables or desks. Never charge on beds, couches, or under pillows where heat gets trapped.
• Unplug When Full: Don't leave devices plugged in indefinitely after reaching 100%. Overcharging creates unnecessary heat and battery stress.
• Charge Big Batteries Outside: E-bikes, e-scooters, and large power tools should be charged outdoors or in well-ventilated areas away from doorways and emergency exits.
• Know the Warning Signs: If a battery feels excessively hot, starts swelling, smells strange, or emits smoke—stop using it immediately and move it away from flammable materials if safe to do so.
Battery Disposal: Collect, Protect, Drop Off™
https://recycleyourbatteries.ca/battery-safety
Batteries should NEVER go into your regular garbage or household recycling bins! Crushed batteries in waste trucks or sorting facilities can spark severe fires. Follow these three steps from Recycle Your Batteries, Canada:
1. COLLECT: Store your used household batteries in a non-metal container (like a glass jar or plastic tub) in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
2. PROTECT: Cover the terminals of lithium, 9V, coin cell, and rechargeable batteries with electrical tape, duct tape, or place individual batteries in clear, sealable plastic bags to prevent accidental sparks.
3. DROP OFF: Take your protected batteries to a designated local drop-off location (such as participating local retailers or municipal waste depots) every 3 months.
Be a fire safety superhero in our community! Share these tips with friends, family, and neighbors so everyone in Middleton stays safe and protected.
Learn how to properly store household batteries, find out if they're damaged, and how to dispose of them safely.