American Fork firefighters use open house to teach lithium-ion battery safety

The American Fork Fire Department held its annual open house at Station 52 to close out Fire Prevention Week, the American Fork Citizen reported. Residents toured the living quarters and fire engines, and children climbed inside trucks and picked out firefighting items. This year's focus was safe charging and preventing lithium-ion battery fires from hoverboards, e-scooters and e-bikes. Lt. Stockton Brehms said charging stations with multiple batteries can spark a fire, and overuse can also cause fires. ^[1]

An exhibit offered other tips. It said residents should keep alarms in every room where people sleep, test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries annually. It advised keeping candles at least 12 inches from anything burnable, and practicing home fire drills twice a year. Brehms thanked the city manager, council, mayor and residents for supporting the department. ^[1]