When is Fire Prevention Week 2026?

October 4-10, the week that includes October 9, the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.

What is this year's Fire Prevention Week theme?

"Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower," NFPA's 2026 campaign focused on preventing lithium-ion battery fires from phones, laptops, e-bikes, and other rechargeable devices.

Is it bad to charge my phone overnight?

Leaving a phone plugged in overnight on a certified charger is generally safe for modern devices, but it's safest to unplug once it's fully charged and to never charge on a bed or couch, especially with an older or damaged cable.

How do I dispose of lithium-ion batteries safely?

Never put lithium-ion batteries in household trash or curbside recycling. Take them to a battery recycling drop-off point or a local hazardous waste collection site, since damaged batteries in a trash truck or landfill can start fires.

What should I do if a lithium-ion battery catches fire?

Evacuate the area immediately and call 911. These fires can reignite even after they appear out, so don't try to move or extinguish a swelling or burning battery yourself. If fire or smoke damages your home or business, Restore All can help with the cleanup afterward.

What does PASS stand for in fire safety?

PASS is how to use a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

Fire Prevention Week 2026: Charge into Fire Safety

Key Takeaways

Fire Prevention Week 2026 runs October 4-10. This year's NFPA theme is "Charge into Fire Safety," focused on preventing lithium-ion battery fires.
Stop using any battery-powered device that is hot, swollen, smoking, leaking, or smells unusual. These are warning signs of an imminent fire.
Test smoke detectors this week, keep space heaters three feet from anything flammable, and walk through your escape plan with your household or staff.

Fire Prevention Week runs October 4-10 this year, marking the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. The 2026 theme, "Charge into Fire Safety," puts the spotlight on something most of us do without thinking: charging our phones, laptops, and e-bikes. Lithium-ion battery fires are one of the fastest-growing causes of home fires, and the right habits prevent most of them. See NFPA's full Fire Prevention Week guidance at nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week.

What are this year's safe charging tips?

The National Fire Protection Association is focusing on lithium-ion battery safety for the second year running. Its core guidance for 2026:

Use only the charger that came with the device, or one the manufacturer approves.
Charge devices on a hard, flat surface. Never charge on a bed, couch, or pile of clothing.
Unplug devices once they are fully charged. Avoid leaving them charging unattended overnight.
Stop using any device that gets very hot, swells, smokes, leaks, or smells unusual.
Charge e-bikes, scooters, and other large batteries with extra care. Charge them outside or in a safer area, and never where they would block an exit.
Never throw lithium-ion batteries in household trash or regular recycling. Take them to a battery recycling location.

How often should I replace smoke detector batteries?

Replace smoke detector batteries this week, even if they still seem to work, and swap out any detector older than 10 years. Test every detector in your home or business while you're at it. For businesses, confirm detectors are tied into your fire alarm system and tested per your local fire code.

What should a fire escape plan include?

A fire escape plan should give everyone in the home or building two ways out of every room and one agreed meeting point outside. Walk through it with your household or staff this week. For businesses, confirm exit signage is lit and exits aren't blocked by inventory or furniture.

Are space heaters safe to use?

Space heaters are safe when used correctly, but they're one of the leading causes of home fires in fall and winter. Keep them at least three feet from anything flammable, never leave one running unattended, and plug it directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord.

Commercial fire code basics

If you own or manage a business in Marietta, Cobb County, or anywhere in metro Atlanta, fall is a good time to confirm your fire extinguishers are inspected and tagged, your sprinkler system was serviced in the last year, and your staff knows where the nearest extinguisher and exit are located.

Frequently Asked Questions

October 4-10, the week that includes October 9, the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.
"Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower," NFPA's 2026 campaign focused on preventing lithium-ion battery fires from phones, laptops, e-bikes, and other rechargeable devices.
Leaving a phone plugged in overnight on a certified charger is generally safe for modern devices, but it's safest to unplug once it's fully charged and to never charge on a bed or couch, especially with an older or damaged cable.
Never put lithium-ion batteries in household trash or curbside recycling. Take them to a battery recycling drop-off point or a local hazardous waste collection site, since damaged batteries in a trash truck or landfill can start fires.
Evacuate the area immediately and call 911. These fires can reignite even after they appear out, so don't try to move or extinguish a swelling or burning battery yourself. If fire or smoke damages your home or business, Restore All can help with the cleanup afterward.
PASS is how to use a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

Fire prevention is the best fire damage restoration there is. But if a fire does happen, Restore All is here to help your Marietta-area home or business recover. Call us now at 770-852-1240 or learn more about our fire damage restoration services.