Our Stories

National Fire Prevention Week is a great reminder to keep your home and communities safe from fire hazards. Learn, share, act: Test your alarms, monitor cooking, give heaters space, use lithium-ion batteries safely, and thank your local firefighters for their service.

Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ campaign, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” focuses on educating everyone about using these batteries safely. Lithium-ion batteries power many devices in our homes, so it’s important to BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE them safely.

Click here to learn more.

 

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 cords that came with the product to charge.
• Follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
• Buy new chargers from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved.
• 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 because they could start a fire.
• Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location.
• Visit call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you.

Fire Prevention Tips

Stay in the kitchen:

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the United States. Always keep an eye on what’s cooking.

Test your smoke alarms:

• Every home needs working smoke alarms. Test them monthly by pressing the test button for a few seconds.

Give heaters space:

• Keep children, pets, and anything that can burn (like bedding, curtains, or furniture) at least three feet away from heaters.

Turn off space heaters:

• Always turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

For additional fire prevention tips, visit nfpa.org.

Local Firefighters: Keeping Our Communities Safe

Thank you to our local firefighters for taking time to speak with us and share their expertise ahead of Fire Prevention Week.

	Our Local Heroes Fire Captain Bobby and the Camden Fire Department work tirelessly to protect our community in Camden, NJ. American Water proudly supports the Camden Fire Department and firefighters across the nation.
	Fire Hydrants Matter Jared, a Fire/Medic II from the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District in Illinois, reminds us to keep fire hydrants clear—they’re critical for quickly extinguishing fires.
	Water Saves Lives Fire Captain Dave from the Oaklyn Fire Department in New Jersey emphasizes the importance of having plenty of water available when fighting fires.
	Be Ready to Evacuate Always have a plan to evacuate your home or business in case of fire. If you need immediate help, dial 9-1-1. Fire Captain Frank from Camden reminds us to be prepared for emergencies.