Statesville Record & Landmark
STATESVILLE, N.C. — Dead batteries can start real fires, and the Statesville Fire Department is asking the community to help prevent them through its new “Fill the Drum” Battery Recycling Challenge.
Rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, can pose a serious fire hazard when placed in household trash. Even batteries that appear to be dead can retain enough energy to spark or ignite if they are crushed, punctured or damaged. These fires can occur in homes, garbage trucks and waste facilities, according to a news release.
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The Statesville Fire Department is challenging residents to help reduce that risk by properly recycling unwanted rechargeable batteries and helping fill the department’s Call2Recycle collection drum.
“Every battery recycled is one less battery that could start a fire in a garbage truck, recycling facility or home,” said Statesville Fire Marshal Allen “Pete” Morrison. “This is an easy way for everyone to help protect our firefighters, sanitation workers and our community.”
Battery Take Back Day – Oct. 5
As part of the campaign, the Statesville Fire Department will host a special Battery Take Back Day on Monday, Oct. 5 , from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fire Station 1. Residents can bring their unwanted rechargeable batteries for proper recycling and help the department reach its goal of filling the collection drum.
The department accepts:
- Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
- Power tool batteries
- Cellphone batteries
- Laptop batteries
- Rechargeable batteries
- Button and coin batteries
- E-bike batteries
Residents should not bring leaking or damaged batteries, recalled batteries, alkaline or single-use batteries, car batteries, propane tanks, ammunition or fireworks.
Battery recycling available year-round
The challenge may have a special event, but safe battery disposal doesn’t end there. Rechargeable battery collection is available year-round at Statesville Fire Department Station 1, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Fill the Drum campaign is part of the Statesville Fire Department’s ongoing community risk reduction efforts to educate residents about lithium-ion battery safety, proper disposal and the fire hazards associated with rechargeable batteries, the release said.
The message is simple: If it charges, don’t trash it. Recycle it.
For more information about the Fill the Drum campaign or battery recycling, contact Pete Morrison, Fire Marshal, at 704-832-3878 or amorrison@statesvillenc.net or Heather Gessler , Fire & Life Safety Educator, at 704-768-5599 or hgessler@statesvillenc.net.
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