From the Editor's Desk

Fire prevention week serves as teaching  time for students, public

Dear Readers:

If you look around your house right now, you’re almost certainly sitting near a lithium-ion battery. They’re in our cellphones, tablets, cordless drills, e-bikes, and vacuum cleaners. They’ve made life easier, but when they’re misused, crushed, or tossed in the kitchen trash, they become a real fire hazard.

That was the main focus of Fire Prevention Week last week, which kicks off Fire Prevention Month across the country.

It’s an issue close to home. The Wisconsin DNR reported this month that waste trucks, recycling centers, and landfills across the state are seeing a surge in dangerous fires. When a discarded battery gets crushed by heavy machinery in a garbage truck, it can spark and ignite surrounding trash in seconds. Those fires put waste workers and our local volunteer crews in danger while causing millions in property damage.

The Eagle River Area Fire Department passed along a few practical habits to keep in mind at home. According to the department, people should always use the correct charger, charge devices on a hard surface rather than a bed or couch, unplug them when fully charged, and stop using batteries that are swollen, damaged, unusually hot or giving off an odor. 

For heavy-duty gear like power tool packs or e-bikes, charge them outside when possible, and never charge devices where they block an exit door.

While firefighters were passing those tips to adults, they were also visiting local elementary schools for another reason: making sure young kids aren’t afraid of them in an emergency.

To a scared kid in a dark, smoky hallway, a firefighter wearing a heavy helmet, thick turnout gear, and an oxygen mask can look intimidating. Seeing a firefighter take that mask off in a classroom shows kids there’s a friendly face underneath so they don’t hide under a bed during a real house fire.

We’re lucky in the Northwoods to have dedicated paid and volunteer firefighters who prioritize helping their communities and protecting their towns.The best way we can thank them is by paying attention to what they teach us.

Michelle Drew

Editor