St. Petersburg Fire Rescue used the council’s Fire Prevention Week proclamation to urge residents to treat lithium-ion batteries — found in phones, laptops, e-bikes and scooters — as a growing fire risk and to adopt safer charging and storage practices.

Deputy Chief Brett Syskoski told the City Council that “28 percent” of investigated fires so far this year were battery related, and that the department has observed an increase tied to the proliferation of lithium-ion devices. “It’s a real issue, and it’s a real safety problem,” he said.

Fire officials recommended several practical steps: use the manufacturer-supplied charging equipment, avoid third‑party or off-brand chargers that may not be calibrated to the battery, charge devices on noncombustible surfaces and avoid leaving devices charging unattended overnight. They advised storing e-bikes and e-scooters outside the home when possible and emphasized proper disposal and recycling of spent batteries.

Fire Marshall Womack directed residents to Call2Recycle (call2recycle.org) to find safe disposal locations and announced that the department’s block party — the public education event postponed last year by storms — will take place Saturday at Walter Fuller Park between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The presentation highlighted the department’s public education, fire inspections, plans review and arson-investigation capacity.

Councilmembers praised the outreach but asked specific follow-up questions. Councilmember Gina Driscoll asked whether fire stations accept used batteries; the fire department advised residents to use the Call2Recycle database for drop-off locations. Driscoll and others said they wanted the city’s “Saint Pete collects” app to include disposal guidance. Officials also noted sprinkler protection is effective at containing battery-related fires in multifamily buildings, though it does not prevent an incident from occurring.

During public remarks, Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. described a neighborhood outreach project in Charles Park where firefighters and volunteers distributed long‑life smoke alarm batteries (a 10‑year product) to higher-risk homes; he called the department’s work “proactive” and life-saving. Mayor Kenneth T. Welch and council members shared personal anecdotes about lithium-battery incidents to underscore the message’s urgency.

The Fire Rescue presentation accompanied a formal proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Week and the NFPA theme “Charge Into Fire Safety: Lithium‑Ion Batteries in Your Home.” The department said it will continue public education through Saint Pete TV and community events and encouraged residents to attend the Walter Fuller block party.