Eugene Springfield Fire thanks local businesses for helping families learn about battery safety and proper disposal

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire is thanking Jerry’s Home Improvement and Waste Wise Lane County for helping share battery safety and disposal information with local families during a recent Jerry’s Battery Safety Day event.

In a public post on October 17, the fire agency expressed appreciation to both organizations for supporting the event and helping raise awareness about the safe handling and disposal of batteries.

“It was great to get to spend time with all the families that were there,” Eugene Springfield Fire said in its message.

Battery safety is an important issue for households because damaged, improperly stored or incorrectly discarded batteries can pose fire risks. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in phones, laptops, power tools and other rechargeable devices, can overheat and ignite if damaged or handled improperly.

Fire safety officials generally recommend using the correct charger for rechargeable devices, avoiding batteries that show signs of damage or swelling, and keeping batteries away from excessive heat. Batteries should also be kept away from loose metal objects that could cause their terminals to short-circuit.

Proper disposal is another important part of battery safety. Many batteries should not be placed in regular household garbage or recycling bins because they can cause fires in collection vehicles and waste facilities. Instead, residents should check local disposal guidelines and use designated battery collection or hazardous-waste facilities when required.

Waste Wise Lane County provides waste prevention and disposal information for residents throughout Lane County, helping households understand how to manage materials that require special handling.

The October 17 message highlighted the importance of community partnerships in spreading practical safety information and giving families opportunities to learn about risks that can arise in everyday life.

Eugene Springfield Fire thanked both Jerry’s Home Improvement and Waste Wise Lane County for helping make the event possible and for supporting efforts to educate the community about battery safety and responsible disposal.