Jefferson City on Thursday declared October 2025 as Fire Prevention Week and used the proclamation to highlight the fire risks associated with lithium‑ion batteries and to promote safe charging and recycling.

Mayor Iron Fitzwater read the proclamation, which notes that many household electronics use lithium‑ion batteries and that misuse, damage or overcharging can cause the batteries to overheat, ignite or explode. The proclamation references the 2025 Fire Prevention Week theme "Charge Into Fire Safety" and urges residents to use certified chargers, avoid charging on soft surfaces and recycle used batteries responsibly.

Chief Gofield of the Jefferson City Fire Department described a community education program that takes a fire‑safety house to schools, distributes coloring books and other materials for children, and runs a short video emphasizing safe charging practices. The chief told council the city is sponsoring a community electronics and battery recycling event on November 15 and said the drop‑off will be in the City Hall parking lot between 9 a.m. and noon.

“...the city is sponsoring a, a recycling event, and that is, coming up here on the fifteenth. That's in the City Hall parking lot here between 9 and noon,” Chief Gofield said.

The chief and staff provided a list of common items that will be accepted at the Nov. 15 event without charge — including computer towers, laptops, cell phones and many consumer electronics — and noted that some items (CRT televisions/monitors and some plasma TVs) may be accepted for a fee. Hazardous materials such as outgoing batteries from smoke detectors and thermostats will not be accepted at that site and require specialized disposal.

Why this matters: Lithium‑ion batteries are increasingly common in household electronics, and local fire authorities emphasized prevention steps and recycling options to reduce fire risk. The city will publish event details and a flyer on its website and the Fire Department encouraged residents to use manufacturer‑approved chargers and recycle batteries through the drop‑off or other community collection events.