Massachusetts Declares Oct. 4-10 Fire Prevention Week, Spotlighting Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
BOSTON — Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has declared October 4-10 as Fire Prevention Week in Massachusetts, joining communities across the country in recognizing the nation's longest-running public health and safety observance and encouraging residents to take simple steps to prevent fires and keep their families safe.
This year's theme, "Charge Into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower," focuses on the safe use and charging of lithium-ion batteries, which power phones, laptops, e-bikes, scooters and power tools. The batteries store a great deal of energy in a small space, and damaged batteries or improper charging can lead to fires or explosions — a growing problem in Massachusetts and nationwide. The National Fire Prevention Association coordinates Fire Prevention Week each year and selects its theme.
"Fire Prevention Week is an important opportunity to remind people across Massachusetts about the simple steps we can all take to keep our families and communities safe," Healey said in a statement. "We're grateful to firefighters and fire safety professionals across the state for the work they do every day to protect people and prevent tragedies." Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said fire safety starts with awareness and preparation, and the week also honors the firefighters and public safety professionals who keep Massachusetts safe.
The state Department of Fire Services reminds residents not to throw used batteries in the trash or household recycling, but to bring them to community household hazardous waste collection events or find a battery recycling location at batterynetwork.org.
Sources: Office of the Governor; East Boston Times-Free Press (Oct. 7 report)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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