Poudre Fire Authority Partners with State Farm Agent for Fire Prevention Week Battery Safety Campaign
Poudre Fire Authority has partnered with Jamie Hill State Farm Insurance and the National Fire Protection Association to expand lithium-ion battery safety education throughout October, following the official Fire Prevention Week theme "Charge into Safety: Lithium-ion Batteries in Your Home."
The collaboration provides funding for educational banners displayed at all 13 PFA fire stations and classroom materials distributed to schools throughout the month. The partnership supplements PFA's ongoing fire prevention education serving approximately 212,000 residents across Fort Collins, Timnath, LaPorte, Bellvue and surrounding areas in Larimer and Weld Counties.
Fire Prevention Week runs October 5-11, commemorating the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The observance represents the oldest public health campaign in the United States, established by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 and coordinated nationally by the National Fire Protection Association each year.
Growing Battery Fire Risks Require Community Education
The educational campaign addresses increasing fire risks from lithium-ion batteries that power smartphones, tablets, power tools, lawn equipment, e-cigarettes, headphones and toys found in most Northern Colorado homes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, damaged or improperly used batteries can overheat, causing fires or explosions in residential settings.
PFA previously announced comprehensive Fire Prevention Month activities focused on battery safety education after responding to six lithium-ion battery fires in 2024 involving motorcycles, vans and landscape equipment.
The partnership with State Farm and NFPA provides PFA with additional resources to reach residents beyond the agency's existing educational programs, which include school visits, fire station open houses and community safety demonstrations conducted throughout the year.
Safe Battery Practices Emphasized
The National Fire Protection Association recommends three core safety practices for lithium-ion battery use: purchasing tested products from reputable manufacturers, charging devices properly using correct cables on hard surfaces without overcharging, and recycling batteries at certified disposal centers rather than discarding them in household trash.
Between 2013 and 2020, lithium-ion batteries caused 245 fires at 64 waste management facilities across the United States, according to Environmental Protection Agency analysis, demonstrating the importance of proper disposal procedures for protecting both individual homes and community infrastructure.
Larimer County residents can recycle lithium-ion batteries free at the Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, with additional options at the Fort Collins Timberline Recycling Center, City of Loveland Recycling Center, and Batteries Plus locations throughout the region. All facilities require residents to tape battery terminals with clear tape before drop-off to prevent accidental discharge during transport and storage.
National Standards Guide Local Safety Education
The National Fire Protection Association publishes comprehensive fire safety codes relevant to lithium-ion battery risks, including NFPA 1 Fire Code chapters on electrical hazards and hazardous materials storage. Residential recommendations include charging batteries only with manufacturer-approved devices, avoiding storage of damaged batteries indoors, never charging batteries on beds or sofas near flammable materials, and installing smoke alarms in charging areas.
Colorado adopts the International Fire Code with amendments as the basis for state building and fire safety regulations, including handling of hazardous consumer products such as lithium-ion batteries. The code prohibits storage of large quantities of lithium-ion batteries in residential areas and requires disposal of damaged or end-of-life lithium batteries through approved hazardous waste processes.
Fire officials recommend charging devices between 41 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit, storing batteries in dry, well-ventilated areas away from flammable materials, and avoiding damaged charging cables or equipment. Residents should never charge batteries overnight or leave devices unattended during charging cycles.
Warning signs of battery problems include swelling, unusual heat generation, strange odors, or visible damage to battery casings. Devices showing these symptoms should be discontinued immediately and taken to appropriate recycling centers for safe disposal.
Partnership Strengthens Community Safety Infrastructure
PFA acknowledged State Farm agent Jamie Hill's contribution to community safety through the educational materials partnership. The collaboration supports PFA's role as an all-hazards response agency handling structure fires, medical emergencies and wildfire incidents across its 230-square-mile service area.
The agency was established in 1981 through consolidation of the City of Fort Collins Fire Department and Poudre Valley Fire Protection District, governed by an intergovernmental agreement. Fire service in Fort Collins began with volunteer units in 1880, with paid service starting in 1915.
PFA operates with approximately 230 full-time equivalent employees responding to thousands of emergency calls annually while maintaining comprehensive fire prevention education programs throughout the year. The agency's recent biannual training emphasized medical emergencies, trauma response and hazardous materials handling to maintain readiness for complex emergency situations across Northern Colorado.
Fire Prevention Week activities complement PFA's year-round safety initiatives including second-grade Safety House programs, fire extinguisher training, and interactive safety demonstrations conducted in collaboration with local schools and community groups.
For more information about Fire Prevention Month activities or lithium-ion battery safety resources, residents can contact Poudre Fire Authority through their website or social media channels.