It’s Fire Prevention Week in Minnesota, and this year’s focus is on the potential for fire when incorrectly charging electronic devices.
State Fire Marshal Jon Krier says if you’re charging your phone or other electronic devices overnight, you should remember that where you charge those devices matters.
Krier says try to avoid charging on a soft surface…
“When charging, charge on a hard surface. So hard surface like a tabletop or a desk, It can be easy to have that charger right next to your bed and maybe your phone is underneath your pillow at night but all electronic devices need a little bit of airflow to keep cool as they charge.”
Officials say however, that Fire Prevention Week isn’t just about preventing fires. Krier says families also need to be prepared in case a fire does start, beginning with working smoke alarms…
“There should be one inside every sleeping room and one outside of the sleeping rooms on every floor. So think of a shared hallway. There should be one out in the hallway and then one inside each of those bedrooms or rooms that are used for sleeping. Make sure that those alarms are less than 10 years old, push the test button, make sure that they work.”
Krier says families should also talk through how they’ll get out of the home in the event of a fire, and practice that escape plan.
