Tennessee's state fire marshal is urging Mt. Juliet area residents to charge lithium-ion batteries safely as Fire Prevention Week begins.

Fire Prevention Week runs Sunday, Oct. 4, through Saturday, Oct. 10. The 2026 theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower." The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office are partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to spread the message, according to the Wilson County Source.

Lithium-ion batteries power phones, laptops, e-bikes, scooters and power tools. They can overheat, catch fire or explode if damaged or charged improperly, the state fire marshal's office said.

Carter Lawrence, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and state fire marshal, said charging habits matter. "It comes down to using simple habits each time you plug in," Lawrence said. "By learning how to buy, charge, and recycle these batteries safely, you can help prevent a fire in your home."

The risk is not hypothetical.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported more than 25,000 incidents of fire or overheating involving lithium-ion batteries between 2017 and 2022, WSMV reported in February 2026. That same report detailed how a White House, Tennessee, couple lost their home in November 2025 to a fire investigators linked to a lithium-ion battery failure in outdoor solar-powered deck lights.

The NFPA does not yet track a national count of home fires caused specifically by lithium-ion batteries. The organization said an increasing number of fires and explosions reported across the country underscores the hazard.

What the state recommends

The Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office listed six steps residents should follow:

  • Use the charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer.
  • Charge on a hard, flat surface such as a table or desk. Beds, couches and pillows can trap heat.
  • Stop using any device that becomes very hot, starts to swell, smokes or smells unusual.
  • Unplug devices once fully charged. Avoid leaving them plugged in longer than needed.
  • Charge e-bikes, scooters and power tools outside, away from doors and exits.
  • When flying, keep charging devices in view. Do not charge them in overhead bins, and do not charge e-cigarettes or vapes on a plane.

The state fire marshal's office also told WSMV that consumers should look for "UL," "ETL" or "CSA" labels on products. Those are nationally recognized testing laboratory certifications that indicate a product has met safety standards.

Escape time matters

State officials noted that residents may have two minutes or less to escape a home fire after a smoke alarm sounds. Working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan can make the difference.

Residents can contact the Mt. Juliet Fire Department for information about local Fire Prevention Week programming or visit fpw.org for national resources.