It’s Fire Prevention Week and the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department is sharing some of the top causes of home fires in Gilbert:

Lithium-ion Batteries
When damaged or not stored properly, lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch fire, and cause dangerous explosions. These fires often happen due to overcharging, completely draining the battery, or exposure to heat, cold, or water.

Learn more and register your electric vehicle or solar panel system: gilbertaz.gov/BatterySafety

Exhaust Fans
Never use bathroom or laundry room fans as white noise while you sleep. Running them too long can pose a fire hazard. Regularly inspect and clean all exhaust fans to ensure they’re working safely.

Unattended Cooking and Candles
If you leave the room, turn off the stove and blow out any candles. It only takes a moment for a fire to start.

Discarded Fireworks
After the celebration, soak fireworks in water for at least 24 hours, double-wrap them in plastic before throwing them away, and keep your trash bin at least three feet from the house.

It’s important to ensure your home’s smoke alarms are properly installed and maintained in case of a fire. Follow these four safety tips and guidelines:

1. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level of the home.
2. Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
3. Change the batteries and clean your alarms yearly. Set a calendar reminder on your phone so you don’t forget!
4. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they stop responding. Check the manufacturer date on the back.

Follow Gilbert Fire and Rescue on Instagram and Facebook for more safety tips and resources.

For more fire prevention tips, you can also visit gilbertaz.gov/Fire.