Barrington fire chief urges safe charging, recycling of lithium‑ion batteries

Barrington Fire Chief John Christian urged residents to follow three safety steps — buy, charge, recycle — and to use local recycling options for lithium‑ion batteries as part of this year’s Fire Prevention Week.

“The question does come up, where can I recycle these batteries in Barrington? Well, you can recycle lithium ion batteries at the Village of Barrington Public Works facility located at 300 North Raymond Avenue on Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of noon and 3PM,” Fire Chief John Christian said. He added, “Buy the batteries and devices from reputable sources and charge them only with the correct charger and never overnight or on soft surfaces. Remember to recycle old or damaged batteries properly. Never throw them into the trash.”

Chief Christian framed the guidance around common consumer devices that use lithium‑ion batteries and warned that the batteries “can pose serious fire risks if not used correctly.” The three recommended steps — purchasing from reputable sources, using the correct charger and charging practices, and recycling old or damaged batteries — were presented as straightforward precautions residents can take at home.

The Village of Barrington Public Works facility’s recycling hours for lithium‑ion batteries are Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 3 p.m., and the facility’s address is 300 North Raymond Avenue. Chief Christian closed by thanking residents “on behalf of the Barrington Fire Department” for following the guidance to reduce fire risk.

The announcement focused on public information and did not include any formal votes, policy changes, or funding details.