The holiday travel season is almost here, and if you don’t want yours to start with a major headache, you are going to want to pay attention to the types of batteries you are packing.
Many people jump on a plane with their phone or laptop and don’t give it a second thought – but those little batteries could cause big problems.
“Anything that could be recharged could be a potential hazard,” ESCAPE Inc. President Michael McLeier told FOX17.
That includes Lithium-ion batteries, which, under the wrong conditions, have the potential to be dangerous. Learning things like that is why every October, we mark Fire Prevention Week here at FOX17, and this year’s focus is Lithium-Ion battery safety.
Michael McLeier with ESCAPE Inc. recommends being extra careful not to store anything with a rechargeable battery – like a laptop, phone or e-cigarette in your checked luggage.
‘The device could actually overheat,” said McLeier. “The battery pack could overheat. It could cause a fire.”
If you can’t avoid checking a battery, airlines do have specific instructions on how you need to pack them. That includes making sure the battery doesn’t have contact with other batteries or metal.
But, no matter where you are going, paying attention to where you get your batteries from is just as important.
“Making sure that we’re buying them from a reputable source,” McLeier added. “Making sure that they are nationally tested, laboratory seal of approval, which is like underwriters, laboratory, Ul, FM, global, they meet those stringent standards and testing requirements, so they’re not going to be at risk for our consumers.”
And your battery’s final destination is another point of focus. McLeier recommends not throwing away any Lithium-Ion battery in the regular trash, but instead take it to an approved recycling center or ask your local fire department.
“When these are disposed of and they get to the recycle center, it can cause a very expensive fire,” McLeier said. “It can be a life safety hazard, and we’ve had recycle facilities that have actually had significant damage to their equipment when they come in contact with a lithium-ion battery.”
And all this goes for batteries in the home as well, with the added plea to make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside and outside every sleeping area.
Fire Prevention Week is happening right now and across West Michigan, fire departments and safety organizations are uniting under an urgent, timely theme: Charge into Safety. This year’s campaign is focusing on the rapidly growing danger of lithium-ion batteries, which are now ubiquitous in homes across the country.
Michael McLeieer from E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. emphasized the week’s critical importance, noting that fire departments all across the country come together to highlight efforts people can take at work, at home, and when they are out to prevent fires and tragedies. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) specifically chose lithium-ion batteries as the theme because of a noticeable increase in fire risks tied to the rising number of rechargeable items used in day-to-day life.
One of the most vital safety tips is to never leave these rechargeable items plugged in for extended periods. This simple precaution helps prevent the battery from overheating, which can lead to a dangerous fire. Where you charge them and how you dispose of old batteries is just as important! Given how many rechargeable devices—from phones and laptops to scooters and tools—are in the average household, this new focus is an essential piece of modern fire safety education. Watch our interview to get more info and don’t forget to check out their website at escapeinc.org.
The kickoff of Fire Prevention Week also coincides with a significant milestone for Michael’s organization. Michael, the founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc.—which stands for Education Showing Children and Adults Procedures for Evacuations—is celebrating the organization’s 30th anniversary on October 10th, 2025, exactly three decades since its founding in 1995. Over the last 30 years, E.S.C.A.P.E. has made an incredible impact, successfully educating over a million kids and families on CPR, first aid, fire safety, and evacuation procedures.
It’s Fire Prevention Week and E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc.’s founder and President firefighter Michael McLeieer talks with WKZO radio Morning Show host Ken Lanphear about Lithium Ion battery safety. Click on the audio link below.
Each year, FOX 17 teams up with E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. to highlight the Fire Prevention Week campaign.
This year’s theme is Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home. The main focus is learning how important it is to buy, charge and recycle safely to prevent a fire in your home.
You may not realize how common lithium-ion batteries are in your day-to-day life. Almost anything rechargeable uses this kind of battery.
Charge into fire safety: 3 steps
- Buy only listed products: when buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, look for a safety certification mark such as UL, ETL, or CSA. This means it meets important safety standards.
- Charge devices safely:
- Always use the cord that came with the product to charge.
- Follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
- Charge your device on a hard surface.
- Don’t overcharge your device.
- Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.
- Recycle batteries responsibly: Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins, they could start a fire. Find a safe battery recycling location at call2recycle.org.
Other safety tips:
