Windsor’s fire chief is urging residents to take a closer look at how they charge their phones and other battery-powered devices after a charging phone sparked a fire in a city high rise. Chief Jamie Waffle says two people suffered minor burns Sunday morning on Caron Avenue after a phone overheated while charging on a bed. The incident comes as Windsor Fire & Rescue Services and the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority launch Fire Prevention Week, which runs Oct. 4 to 10. This year’s theme, “Charge Into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” focuses on reducing the risk of fires involving lithium-ion batteries. Waffle said residents can take several simple precautions, including charging devices on a flat, hard surface rather than on a bed or underneath cushions. “Unplug it when it’s fully charged,” Waffle said. “Keep it on a flat surface, not under the cushion or in your bed. And make sure you’re using the proper charging cords that are from the manufacturers or recognized by the manufacturer.” He said residents should also pay attention to warning signs that a battery or device may be overheating. “Super hot to the touch” is one warning sign, Waffle explained. Crackling, popping or unusual smells can indicate the device is further into the overheating process. For larger battery-powered devices such as power tools and e-bikes, Waffle recommends storing them outside when possible and making sure they do not block an exit. The chief said the consequences of a fire can escalate quickly. “Once a fire starts, it doubles in size every 60 seconds,” Waffle said. “So, a very small fire can grow to a full blown bedroom fire inside of just a few minutes.” The safety message extends beyond charging and into the disposal of old batteries and devices. Cathy Copot-Nepszy, waste diversion manager with the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority, said residents should not simply put an old phone or device with an expired battery away in a drawer or attic. “Just like anything at end of life, you need to find a good home for it so it can get recycled properly and doesn’t cause any safety issues,” she said. Lithium-ion batteries can overheat or become damaged and cause fires or explosions when they enter the waste stream improperly, Copot-Nepszy said. She pointed to an incident at an EWSWA depot where an expired battery ended up in yard waste and caused a small explosion. “It can cause risk to our workers, the environment, and vehicles that we have as assets,” she said. Copot-Nepszy told CTV News that residents diverted more than 44,000 kilograms of batteries from landfill last year by dropping them off at EWSWA depots. The EWSWA does not currently offer curbside battery collection, but Copot-Nepszy said the authority operates three depots where residents can drop off used batteries. Residents can also find other drop-off locations through Call2Recycle. “We need to think about what’s inside of your phone or your laptop,” she said. “And make sure that you drop it off at the proper facility.” Waffle said the Fire Prevention Week message is ultimately about developing safe habits around devices that have become part of everyday life. He also reminded residents to make sure their smoke alarms are working properly. “Smoke detectors absolutely save lives,” Waffle said. “I can say that almost every fatality I’ve been to from a fire, there’s been a non-working smoke detector there.” The Fire Prevention Week campaign runs through Oct. 10. More information on battery fire safety can be found on Canada’s website.
