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St. Petersburg Fire Rescue urges residents to ‘charge safely’ as lithium-ion batteries account for 28% of local fires
Summary
Fire officials used the council proclamation for Fire Prevention Week to highlight a rise in battery-related fires, give safety guidance for charging and disposal, and announce a community block party.
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…
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