Durham Firefighters Shared NFPA’s Safe Charging Message with Students

Durham, ME — October 8 — Durham Fire and Rescue officers visited Durham Community School as part of a fire prevention outreach initiative aimed at educating over 300 students in grades one through five. The program emphasized fire safety education and aligned with this year’s message from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “Charge Into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.”

This visit allowed firefighters to engage with younger members of the community and provide important fire prevention information. Such programs help students develop safe habits and understand how their daily choices can impact fire risk at home and in school.

The 2026 NFPA campaign centered on the safe use and charging of devices that use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are commonly found in items like phones, tablets, laptops, toys, scooters, and power tools. If damaged or improperly charged, these batteries can overheat and lead to fires.

The campaign promoted the use of chargers approved by the device manufacturer, charging devices on hard, flat surfaces, and unplugging them once fully charged. It also urged people to stop using batteries that become unusually hot, swollen, leak, or emit strange odors.

Fire prevention outreach continues to be a vital part of the fire service’s efforts beyond responding to emergencies. By educating students early, Durham Fire and Rescue helps spread practical safety knowledge to families across the community.