Lethbridge fire service warns on lithium-ion battery risks for Fire Prevention Week
Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services says fires have broken out inside city collection trucks after batteries were tossed in with recycling or garbage.
Why it matters
Improperly disposed batteries have already sparked fires in city collection trucks, posing a real safety risk to workers and residents.
Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is highlighting the dangers of lithium-ion batteries as part of Fire Prevention Week, running Oct. 4-10, 2026. The department is taking part in the Charge into Fire Safety campaign, urging residents to buy certified products, charge devices on hard, stable surfaces and recycle batteries at approved locations.
Neill O'Grady, Fire Prevention Officer with LFES, said lithium-ion batteries are found in nearly every home in the city but their risks aren't always obvious. He advised residents to watch how they charge devices and stop using any battery that is damaged or overheating, since damaged or improperly charged batteries can release stored energy quickly and spark a fire.
Jonathan Fitzgerald, the City of Lethbridge's Education and Outreach Analyst, said fires have already started inside collection trucks when batteries ended up in garbage or recycling loads, putting staff and residents at risk. He pointed to the city's curbside battery collection program as a safe disposal option.
Fire prevention officers will be at several locations during the week to answer questions on battery safety and home fire prevention: the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization on Oct. 6 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), Park Place Mall on Oct. 7 (10 a.m.-8 p.m.), and Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre on Oct. 8 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.).
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.