MARSHALL — As National Fire Prevention Week continues, Chief Quentin Brunsvold of the Marshall Fire Department is urging residents to pay special attention to the growing risks posed by lithium-ion batteries. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge Into Fire Safety,” focuses on the safe use and handling of these common but potentially dangerous power sources.
Brunsvold praised the community’s response to the start of Fire Prevention Week, which included households across Marshall signaling their participation in fire safety planning. “It was a great response. Everybody’s kind of getting used to it. We’ve been doing it now for a number of years. We just shifted it to Sunday night as a great kickoff to Fire Prevention Week, and it gets people thinking about the theme,” he said. “Even just practicing exit drills in your home is so important because it’s a life safety thing you never plan for.”
Lithium-ion batteries are found in a wide range of everyday devices, from cell phones and laptops to e-bikes and power tools. Brunsvold said the decision to focus on these batteries this year reflects the increasing number of incidents linked to improper use. “Normally they go kitchen safety, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, life safety stuff. This year, it’s a total change, a little curveball, and I think it’s super important,” he said.
Chief Brunsvold warned against using low-quality batteries or unauthorized charging cables. “You think about just how cheap they are, sometimes you get what you pay for. Having those cheap batteries and using those, and even the chargers and charging cables, it’s really important to use approved, manufacturer-recommended products,” he said. “I get sucked in. I bought a 10-foot cable once. Charges my phone super fast, but not really thinking about it. That’s not a great idea.”
Common mistakes, he said, include using incompatible batteries, overcharging devices, and leaving batteries plugged in unattended. “When those batteries overheat and enter into an unstable state, you can’t stop it. You could submerge lithium-ion batteries that are on fire in water, they produce their own oxygen and still burn. If we do respond, we’re in it for the long haul,” Brunsvold said.
For households with e-bikes, scooters, or power tools, Brunsvold advised charging these devices outside living spaces whenever possible. “Make sure they’re in the garage, or an outside source, not inside your house. There’s usually a fire barrier between the garage and your home, so that can slow things down and prevent it from spreading into your residence,” he explained.
Even when the fire department does respond to a lithium-ion battery fire, Brunsvold said traditional firefighting methods often aren’t enough. “If we had an e-vehicle fire in a parking lot, there are tools like thermal fiberglass blankets to contain it, but you’re not going to get that fire out. We have to let it burn itself out,” he said. “People may see us standing around watching it burn. That’s the only way to get it extinguished.”
Community outreach remains a key component of Fire Prevention Week in Marshall. Brunsvold described programs in local schools, including poster contests, where children depict safe battery use. “My children even made sure to tell me about the theme this year. My daughter made a poster showing the wrong charger on fire and the right one safely charging. We need to start educating the youth,” he said.
Residents are also urged to properly dispose of old or damaged batteries. “Do not put these batteries in the garbage can. Garbage trucks have caught fire when batteries are punctured. Take them to a household hazardous waste facility or check with your refuse hauler. You’ll have to pay to get rid of it, but it’s going to save a headache for someone down the line,” Brunsvold said.
Brunsvold emphasized that even beyond batteries, simple fire safety habits remain essential. “Have an exit drill. Make sure everybody is accounted for. Check your smoke alarms, they have a 10-year shelf life. Carbon monoxide detectors last about five years. Replace them if they’re older. These are inexpensive and could save lives,” he said.
Finally, he offered one key takeaway for Marshall residents. “Everything is getting more prevalent with battery-powered devices, which is good and bad. Make sure you’re using the proper equipment in the right way. Don’t leave chargers plugged in all day. Keep an eye on your devices. Handling them properly can prevent fires and keep your family safe.”
