The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) are joining the National Fire Protection Association to support Fire Prevention Week, recognized Oct. 4–10, 2026. This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.”
The focus is the rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Phones, tablets, laptops, tools, toys, e-bikes, and scooters all run on them, and the SFMO notes these batteries store a great deal of energy in a small space. If they are damaged or charged the wrong way, the state says, they can overheat, start a fire, or even explode.
What the State Fire Marshal is asking Tennesseans to do
TDCI Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence said the way you charge lithium-ion battery devices can make a difference in helping prevent home fires. The SFMO’s checklist for Fire Prevention Week is short:
- Use the right charger. Use the cord and charger that came with the device or one approved by the manufacturer. The SFMO says the wrong charger can damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.
- Charge on a hard, flat surface. A table or desk, not a bed, couch, or pillow. Soft surfaces can trap heat and block airflow.
- Watch for warning signs. Stop using a device that feels very hot, starts to swell, is smoking, or has a strange smell.
- Unplug when full. Leaving a device plugged in longer than needed can add heat and stress on the battery.
- Move big batteries outside. The SFMO advises charging larger items such as e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside and away from exits.
Why minutes matter
The SFMO’s release puts the stakes plainly: today’s homes burn faster than ever, and residents may have as little as two minutes, or even less, to escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. That is why the state pairs safe charging with working smoke alarms and an escape plan everyone in the house knows.
For East Tennessee households, that often means a quick walk-through this week: where do the phones charge overnight, where does the e-bike or the cordless-tool battery sit, and is any of it near a bedroom door or the only exit from a basement or garage? If you rent out a cabin or a basement apartment, guests charge devices too, so the same questions apply to every unit.
Where insurance fits
A home fire is the kind of loss most Tennesseans expect a homeowners, condo, or renters policy to address, but how a claim is handled depends on the policy forms, limits, deductibles, and exclusions on your own declarations page. Fire Prevention Week is a good time to check three things: whether your dwelling and personal property limits still match today’s rebuilding and replacement costs, whether your policy settles personal property at replacement cost or actual cash value, and whether you have an up-to-date home inventory.
Related reading from All Seasons
- TDCI’s Campus Fire Safety Month tips focus on lithium-ion charging for students.
- TDCI’s Homeowners Insurance 101 page links inventory, CLUE, and ACV tools.
- TDCI explains Actual Cash Value versus Replacement Cost for Tennessee homeowners.
- TDCI’s CLUE explainer says Tennesseans can pull seven years of home and auto claims history for free.
Free policy review
All Seasons Insurance Group offers a free personal policy review. Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/. This article is informational only and does not promise coverage or eligibility; your policy forms control. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
When is Fire Prevention Week in Tennessee in 2026?
TDCI and the State Fire Marshal’s Office say Fire Prevention Week is recognized Oct. 4–10, 2026.
What is the 2026 Fire Prevention Week theme?
The theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” focused on lithium-ion battery charging habits.
Which charger should I use?
The SFMO says to use the cord and charger that came with the device or one approved by the manufacturer, because the wrong charger can damage the battery and increase fire risk.
Where should I charge phones and laptops?
On a table, desk, or other hard, flat surface — not on beds, couches, or under pillows, where heat can build up.
What are the warning signs of a failing battery?
The SFMO says to stop using a device that feels very hot, starts to swell, is smoking, or has a strange smell.
How should I charge e-bikes, scooters, and power tools?
The SFMO advises charging larger items outside and away from exits because these batteries store more energy.
Does a homeowners policy cover a battery fire?
It depends on your policy forms, limits, deductibles, and exclusions. This article is informational only; review your own declarations page or ask for a policy review.
How can All Seasons help after reading this?
Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/ for a free personal policy review. Informational only; no coverage promises. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
