Fire Prevention Week 2026

October 4-10 is Fire Prevention Week. Throughout the month of October, the City will attend several fire safety events in line with this year’s theme: Lithium-ion Battery use and Safety.

Join us throughout the week to learn all about the dangers of improper use and storage of lithium-ion batteries and the importance of buying quality certified batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are used to power many different consumer products including cell phones, laptops, power tools, vacuum cleaners, toys, electric vehicles, e-scooters or e-bikes. If you notice any of the following problems with your device, stop using it immediately, get outside and call 9-1-1:

  • An odour
  • A change in colour
  • Overheating
  • Change in shape
  • Leaking
  • Odd noises

If your device starts to produce a ‘smoke’, get to fresh air immediately. This is called ‘off-gas’ and it contains many harmful chemicals that are extremely dangerous to breathe in.

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Battery Safety
  • Only use products that are listed or certified by a qualified testing laboratory.
  • Always read and follow the instructions or guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
  • Use the original lithium-ion batteries your product came with and replace them with batteries from the original manufacturer.
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Charging
  • Check the instruction manual for your device. It will tell you how to safely charge the battery. Avoid overcharging as this may cause them to overheat, explode and catch fire. When batteries are charged too long, they may short-circuit which causes them to explode.
  • Do not charge your devices overnight. This can increase your risk of overcharging your device. Always unplug devices once they are fully charged.
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Tampering/Modifying
  • There is no safe way to modify a lithium-ion battery. Modifying them can increase the risk of overheating, explosion and fire.
  • Use the original batteries that came with your device. Contact the manufacturer or product retailer if replacement batteries are needed.
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Disposal

Lithium-Ion batteries, chargers or battery-powered devices are considered hazardous waste and should never be thrown in with regular garbage. They can cause fires during garbage pick-up, transport and at landfills. They can be taken to Community Recycling Centres for safe disposal. Here are two locations in Mississauga:

Battleford Community Recycling Centre
2255 Battleford Rd, Mississauga, ON L5N 8P6

Fewster Community Recycling Centre
1126 Fewster Dr, Mississauga, ON L4W 1A2

*Working smoke alarms save lives. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside sleeping areas.*

Find us at the following locations during Fire Prevention Week:

Monday, October 5, 2026
  • UTM – University of Toronto Mississauga, William G. Davis Building
    10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Erin Meadows Community Centre
    3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Burnhamthorpe Community Centre
    4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
  • Malton Youth Hub
    2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Peel Youth Village
    2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
  • Square One Shopping Centre
    10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 8, 2026
  • Loblaws McLaughlin Road (5970 McLaughlin Rd)
    4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Real Canadian Superstore (Dundas & Mavis)
    4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact us

For more information, contact Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services Public Education or visit us online.