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.

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