Watertown Fire Rescue Observes Fire Prevention Week, Focuses on Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
- Steve Jurrens
- Oct 5
- 1 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown Fire Rescue is marking Fire Prevention Week from October 5–11, 2025, by focusing on the safe use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries. The national campaign theme this year is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”
Lithium-ion batteries serve as a power source for a wide range of household items, including e-bikes, smartwatches, power tools, and mobile phones. While these batteries offer convenience, the Watertown Fire Rescue has noted that they can present a fire risk if damaged, charged improperly, or disposed of incorrectly.
The Fire Rescue Department issued several reminders for residents concerning these rechargeable batteries:
· Never dispose of lithium-ion batteries in regular household trash or recycling bins, as this can cause fires in collection trucks or at the Landfill.
· Charge batteries in open, well-ventilated spaces and disconnect them once the charging process is complete.
· Immediately stop using any device if the battery appears swollen, is leaking, or is otherwise damaged.
Fire Chief Don Rowland stated that the increase in fires linked to lithium batteries is a growing trend nationwide. “Most can be prevented with simple steps—use the correct charger, never overcharge, and dispose of damaged batteries properly,” Rowland said.
Watertown Fire Rescue encourages all residents to take a moment during the week to review safety practices for standard household batteries, helping to prevent avoidable fires in the community. Additional resources and tips will be shared throughout the week on the Watertown Fire Rescue Facebook page.
