Waukee City Fire Department urges caution with lithium‑ion batteries during Fire Prevention Week

Waukee City Fire Department officials urged residents during Fire Prevention Week to take precautions with lithium‑ion batteries, noting those cells power many household and personal devices, including e‑scooters, phones and laptops.

The guidance came from Elle Osborne, fire prevention specialist, and Justin Frederick, fire marshal, who described the fire risks of lithium‑ion cells and asked residents to pay attention to charging and recycling practices. Osborne urged people to consider how many rechargeable devices they have at home and to follow the department’s social channels for tips. Frederick summarized the hazard: “Lithium ion batteries store a lot of power in a small place. They can overheat, start a fire, even explode.”

Why it matters: lithium‑ion batteries are common in phones, laptops, electric scooters, toothbrushes and portable chargers; failures during charging, damage, or use of improper chargers can lead to overheating and fire. Officials advised residents to buy from reputable sellers, follow manufacturer charging instructions, avoid leaving batteries or devices charging unattended for long periods, and use proper recycling channels for spent cells.

Osborne noted the department will post practical guidance on where to buy batteries and chargers, recommended charging practices and how to recycle lithium‑ion batteries, and asked residents to follow the department’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for daily tips throughout Fire Prevention Week. The comments and guidance were informational; no policy actions or formal motions were recorded during the remarks.

The department’s message emphasized household risk reduction steps (safe charging, avoiding damaged batteries, and using certified chargers) and pointed residents to local recycling options for spent lithium‑ion cells.