Waukee City staff warns residents about lithium‑ion battery fire risks

At a Waukee City meeting, a staff member warned that lithium‑ion batteries—found in phones, power tools and children’s toys—can ignite or explode when damaged, overheated or overcharged and urged residents to buy only listed products, charge devices safely and recycle batteries.

The announcement said the risk is growing and stressed the potential consequences. The staff member said, "When lithium ion batteries are misused, they can destroy property and cost lives." The speaker recommended buying only listed products, charging devices safely and recycling batteries responsibly.

The brief presentation noted that batteries can fail quickly and called on households to follow safety and recycling guidance. The staff member summarized the message by saying, "Let's be smart with our batteries and charge into fire safety." The city did not provide additional program details, funding information or a follow-up schedule during the remarks.