The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation designating October 2025 as Fire Prevention Month and the county fire-rescue department used the occasion to emphasize safe purchase, charging, storage and recycling of lithium-ion batteries.

At the Oct. 7 meeting Fire & Rescue leaders said lithium-ion batteries power many everyday devices and are implicated in a growing number of household incidents. Fire Marshal Mika Kiger and the county public-education manager described guidance promoted during the month: buy listed products that meet safety standards, use manufacturer cords, charge devices on hard, nonflammable surfaces, and recycle batteries properly rather than throwing them in the trash.

The department highlighted local outreach: open houses at Sterling Volunteer Fire Company (Station 11) and other stations this weekend, and a county program to check and replace aging smoke alarms. Public education manager Lisa (title stated in meeting) said prevention teams run roughly 250 outreach events each year and can visit community groups, schools, and homeowners on request. Chair Randall noted the county's online resources at loudoun.gov/batteries and the smoke-alarm form at loudoun.gov/smokealarms.

Why it matters: lithium-ion battery fires have been rising nationally as household electronics proliferate; county fire-rescue officials urged residents to reduce risk with safe charging and proper recycling. Smoke detectors older than 10 years should be replaced, the department advised.

Discussion (summary): the department gave practical tips (use ABC fire extinguishers, use the PASS method if trained, and get outside and call 911 if a fire grows) and listed station open-house dates for the coming weekend. Staff encouraged homeowners to request smoke-alarm checks via the county web form.

Ending: The county will continue outreach through station open houses and public-education visits; residents were directed to loudoun.gov/batteries and the smoke alarm request form for more information.