McPherson firefighters urge safe device charging during Fire Prevention Week
Department joins national campaign promoting safe charging of lithium-ion battery-powered devices
Sign up for our free newsletter and never miss a story.
Sign up freeAnyone in McPherson who plugs in a rechargeable device is the audience for this year's Fire Prevention Week, which runs through Saturday, Oct. 10, and focuses on preventing lithium-ion battery fires. The McPherson Fire Department is joining the National Fire Protection Association's long-standing national observance and its 2026 theme, Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.
In a Facebook post Monday, Oct. 5, the department encouraged residents to make safe choices whenever they charge a device. The NFPA recommends using the cord and charger supplied with a device or one approved by its manufacturer, charging on a hard, flat surface and unplugging devices after they are fully charged. Devices should be kept off beds, couches, pillows and blankets while charging. Batteries or devices that swell, leak, smell unusual, make hissing or cracking sounds, or become excessively hot should no longer be used.
In a separate observance, McPherson BPU will host a family night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at 401 W. Kansas Ave. The event, part of Public Power Week rather than the fire department's campaign, will include bucket truck experiences and electrical-safety demonstrations, Citizen Journal previously reported.
This article was written using our proprietary AI system, Cronkite. The final decision to publish this article was made by a human. For more info, read our AI policy.
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below: