All posts by Michael McLeieer

It’s Fire Prevention Week: Traveling with Lithium-Ion Batteries Fire Prevention Month, Safety, WXMI Fox 17
08
Oct 2025

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.

 

It’s Fire Prevention Week: Charge into Safety on Fox 17 Morning Mix E.S.C.A.P.E. 30 Years, Fire Prevention Month, Safety, WXMI Fox 17,
07
Oct 2025

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: WKZO AM 590 & FM 106.0 E.S.C.A.P.E., E.S.C.A.P.E. 30 Years, Fire Prevention Month, WKZO,
06
Oct 2025

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.

It’s Fire Prevention Week: Charge Into Safety E.S.C.A.P.E., E.S.C.A.P.E. 30 Years, Fire Prevention Month, Safety, WXMI Fox 17,
06
Oct 2025

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:

Holiday Fire Safety Tips 2024 MI SAFE, Safety, WXMI Fox 17,
20
Dec 2024

When a home catches fire, families have less than two minutes to get out safely, that’s why FOX 17 partnered with E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. to help get more smoke alarms into homes across West Michigan. To date, the Keep Michigan Safe initiative has provided more than 1,000 smoke alarms to viewers, and their local fire departments have helped install them correctly. The Red Cross has also been instrumental in helping protect people with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Fires increase dramatically in the winter months, and the holiday season provides its own unique dangers. Don’t burn real candles, use the battery-powered versions to eliminate risk. Make sure to unplug/turn off holiday light displays when you leave the house and overnight. Don’t put gifts or decorations in the way of exits and escape routes. Close bedroom doors at bedtime to help prevent fires from spreading.

For more information on fire prevention tips, or to reach out about getting a smoke alarm installed, head to escapeinc.org, fox17online.com/safe or call toll free (844) 978-4400.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are links to holiday fire safety tips stories which aired live on Fox 17 and WKZO AM 590 and FM 106.9.

Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips 2024 MI SAFE, WKZO, WXMI Fox 17
26
Nov 2024

Fox 17 Morning News 8:20 a.m. Interview 11/25/2024

Fox 17 Morning Mix 10:05 a.m. Interview 11/26/2024

WKZO AM 590 and FM 106.9 9:10 a.m. Interview 11/25/2024

Enjoy Thanksgiving and Prevent a Home Fire

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving.  From testing family recipes to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations.  Kids especially love to be involved in holiday preparations.  However, keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home.

According to the United States Fire Administration, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires and frying food increases the risk.  The average number of reported home fires in the United States on Thanksgiving Day is more than double the average number of home fires on all other days.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occurred most frequently from noon to 3 p.m., when many people most likely were preparing Thanksgiving dinner.  These fires then declined throughout the evening.

As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember to play it safe!  E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety offers a few simple tips so you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.

Turkey:

If you are roasting your turkey, make sure you set a timer.  This way, you won’t forget about the bird as you watch the parade or football game.

Deep frying a turkey may be delicious but it also can be dangerous.  If you are frying your turkey,

    • Use a fryer with thermostat controls.  This will ensure the oil does not become over heated.

     

    • Thaw your turkey completely.  Ice on the bird will cause the oil to splatter.

     

    • Don’t overfill the pot with oil.  If you do, the oil will overflow when you add the turkey causing a fire hazard.

     

    • Keep children and pets at least 3-feet away from the fryer to protect against burn injuries.

     

    • Also, always use the fryer outdoors on a sturdy, level surface away from things that can burn.

     

Stuffing and Potatoes:

Stand by your stove when you are boiling your potatoes or frying onions for the stuffing.  It’s best to stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling or broiling.  If you are in the kitchen, it’s easier to catch spills or hazardous conditions before they become a fire.

 

 

Vegetables:

  • Keep the area around the stove clear of food packaging, paper towels, and dish cloths; anything that can burn.

 

  • Be sure to clean up any spills as they happen.

 

  • Be prepared!  Keep a large pan lid or baking sheet handy in case you need to smother a pan fire.

 

  • Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove so you don’t bump them.

 

By following these safety tips, you will have a delicious and fire safe Thanksgiving!  Remember to let the firefighters have dinner with their families, not yours.

 

It’s Fire Prevention Week 2024 E.S.C.A.P.E., Fire Prevention Month, MI SAFE, WXMI Fox 17
06
Oct 2024

October 6, 2024 – It’s Fire Prevention Week (October 6 – 12)!  This year’s theme is Smoke Alarms:  Make Them WORK For You! ™

Working smoke alarms significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.  Roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

 

Here are some links to stories from our media partners to Keep Michigan S.A.F.E.

Download the home fire escape map pictured below here

 

 

 

OSHA Standard Uncategorized
30
May 2024

OSHA Proposed Emergency Response Standard

On February 5, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to modernize the agency’s “Fire Brigades” standard with a proposed new “Emergency Response Standard.” This NPRM’s publication triggered the beginning of a public comment period that is scheduled to conclude June 21, 2024 (now extended to July 21, 2024).

While many of the proposed provisions would be helpful and improve the safety of emergency responders, many of the new requirements would be very burdensome, and in many cases impossible, for volunteer fire and emergency service departments to comply with. If the standard is adopted in its current form, many departments would be forced to shut their doors or else operate outside of the federal standard, leaving themselves open to fines, citations, and huge civil liability exposure.

Nothing in the proposed standard is final at this stage, so now is the time to take action. It is critical that members of the fire and emergency services submit a public comment explaining what should be changed in the proposed standard and why. Here are resources to help you better understand the standard and how to submit an effective comment.

05/31/2024 Michigan State Firemen’s Association Webinar and Resources

View the Proposed Standard

Take Action

Additional Resources

Michigan Resources

Sample Letters and Comments

For more information including current updates, visit https://www.nvfc.org/osha-standard/

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