October 6, 2025 | From New Orleans Fire Department
National Fire Prevention Week, Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home
October 5th-11th is “National Fire Prevention Week.” The City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) have been steadfast in making fire prevention and awareness a priority when it comes to the safety of our residents and visitors. The City of New Orleans maintains a “Class 1” Fire Protection rating from the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL). This achievement for the City of New Orleans and the NOFD allows everyone the peace of mind of knowing they are receiving the best possible service when it comes to fire protection.
In partnership with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the New Orleans Fire Department, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, and our other partners in Fire Safety, are celebrating National Fire Prevention Week October 5th-11th. This year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety, Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home”, focuses on reminding everyone how important it is to “Buy, Charge, and Recycle” safely when using lithium-ion batteries. NOFD Superintendent Roman Nelson and the men and women of the New Orleans Fire Department would like to remind residents that lithium-ion batteries pose an extreme fire hazard when not used and/or disposed of properly. Residents can “Charge into Safety”, by:
- Buying only listed products. When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, look for safety certification marks such as UL, ETL, or CSA. This means it meets important safety standards.
- Charge devices safely. Always use the cords that came with the product to charge. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Buy new chargers from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved. Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.
- Recycle batteries responsibly. Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire. Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you.
As a “Class 1” rated Fire Department, the NOFD promotes fire prevention and awareness year-round. With that said, we would like to remind residents that the safest and most effective way to protect your home and loved ones from a residential fire is by having working smoke alarms. The NOFD WILL PROVIDE AND INSTALL 10YR SMOKE ALARMS FREE OF CHARGE for any Orleans Parish resident in need. Please contact the NOFD at 504-658-4714 or make your request online at https://nola.gov/smoke-alarm/ if you or anyone you know needs this potentially lifesaving service.
Since 2012 the New Orleans Fire Department has been conducting its “Save Lives, Install Dat” Smoke Detector Installation Program. With this program uniformed, on-duty NOFD personnel come to your home, assess your fire safety needs, and install 10yr Lithium Battery Smoke Alarms (FREE of CHARGE). With the help of partners like the American Red Cross and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, the NOFD has supplied and installed over 21,000 10yr Smoke Alarms in the homes of Orleans Parish residents.
Recently, the New Orleans Fire Department has also partnered with our city’s Health Department to provide and install 10yr Combination Carbon Monoxide (CO)/Smoke Alarms through the Health Department’ Healthy Homes initiative. The objective of the Healthy Homes Program is to outfit every rental home registered with the Healthy Homes program with a free, 10-year combination smoke and CO alarm, representing the city’s enduring commitment to public safety and continuous risk reduction.
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas often referred to as the “silent killer.” CO is released as a product of combustion, emitted from gas engines, gas and wood stoves, furnaces and heaters. Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide exposure include headaches, weakness, nausea and shortness of breath. The request process for the Healthy Homes “Combo CO/Smoke Alarm” is currently for “renters only.” Residents that are registered with Healthy Homes and meet the “rental only” criteria can make their request by contacting the NOFD at 504-658-4714 or online at Services - Public Safety - Fire Safety - Get Free Smoke Alarms - City of New Orleans (nola.gov).
The NOFD will host a resource table to distribute Fire Safety Materials on the first floor of City Hall on Tuesday, October 7th and Thursday, October 9th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Visitors and employees of City Hall are welcome to stop by and pick up Lithium-Ion Battery Safety literature, other Fire Safety literature, and/or submit your smoke alarm request in person.
To find out more about our Community Outreach and Fire Safety Programs and activities or to request a Combination CO/Smoke Alarm or 10yr Smoke Alarm through our “Save Lives, Install Dat” Smoke Detector Program,” please contact the New Orleans Fire Department at 504-658-4714 or visit our website at www.nola.gov/nofd. To learn more about fire safety and this year’s theme “Charge into Safety, Lithium-Ion Batteries in your Home,”, please visit the National Fire Protection Association website at www.nfpa.org.
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