(Atlantic, Iowa) – Fire Prevention Week nationwide takes place from Sunday, Oct. 5th through Saturday, Oct. 11th. This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) theme is “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” and is intended to educate everyone about using these batteries safely. The campaign stresses how important it is to BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE safely when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.

Atlantic Volunteer Firefighters Jake Vetter and Paul Wood spoke with KJAN about the events that are planned during the week. Vetter said Fire Prevention Week in Atlantic begins with the Annual Donation Breakfast from 7-a.m. Until Noon, Sunday, Oct. 5th at the fire station in Atlantic.

On the menu for your free-will donation, is pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee or juice.Money raised from the breakfast goes into the department’s programs and helps to cover the cost of the Fireman’s Parade on Oct. 11th, including the marching band coming in from Omaha. The parade kick’s-off with a page from the Cass County Communications Center at 6-p.m.

Paul Wood, who is the Atlantic Police Department’s Assistant Chief in addition to being a volunteer firefighter, said this week’s theme relates to safety with regard to lithium-ion batteries, which are used in everything from scooters to cell phones, as well as lawn and garden tools.

It also involves educating children about fire safety.

Paul Wood said there have been fires in the past that were attributed to overheated lithium-ion batteries in cell phones and laptop computers, and it’s important not to overcharge them or leave them on surface that can easily catch fire. There are simple steps to make your home safer when lithium-ion batteries are around:

Buy only listed products with the UL, ETL, or CSA certification on the label
Charge devices safely by using the cord that comes with your device. Charge on hard surfaces, and unplug the device when the charge is complete.
Recyle batteries responsibly.
Lithium-ion batters cannot simply be tossed in your common trash can or recyling bin. To find a recyling place near your that deals with lithium-ion batteries safely, go to call2recycle.org