Fire Safety Week was from October 5–11, and this year’s national theme is: “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”
It’s a timely reminder for all of us. From smartphones to e-bikes, lithium-ion batteries power much of our daily lives—but they also come with fire risks if mishandled. Overheating, fires, and even explosions can occur when these batteries are damaged or improperly used.
At Bruce Power, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s a core value. That’s why the company has updated its emergency response plans to address the unique hazards posed by lithium-ion batteries.
The national campaign encourages everyone to follow these three simple steps:
1. Buy Smart
Look for safety certification marks like UL, ETL, or CSA when purchasing battery-powered products. These labels mean the product meets rigorous safety standards.
2. Charge Safely
Use the original charger and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Charge devices on hard surfaces, avoid overcharging, and unplug once fully charged.
3. Recycle Responsibly
Never toss lithium-ion batteries in the trash. They can spark fires in waste facilities. Instead, recycle them at certified locations—visit https://call2recycle.org to find one near you.
Bruce Power recognizes the importance of maintaining a robust and multi-faceted emergency response program as part of its ‘Safety First’ value that’s ingrained into everyone who steps foot onto site.
The Bruce Power site is truly a marvel, with its expansive 838 hectares (more than 2,000 acres) bustling with thousands of workers each day to produce a third of Ontario’s power and cancer-fighting medical isotopes used around the world.
Like any town or city, Bruce Power has its own fire, security and emergency management teams, fully staffed by highly trained professionals, using world-class equipment and facilities.
Like any good neighbour, we work with surrounding municipalities on emergency plans and share resources and knowledge. In the past, Bruce Power has donated fire trucks to municipal fire departments and regularly invites municipal departments to use its state-of-the-art 23,000-square-foot Emergency and Protective Services (EPS) Training Facility on site. Many of our dedicated fire staff also volunteer with their community forces as well and we thank all emergency responders in the surrounding areas.
The effectiveness of Bruce Power’s emergency response program is continuously assessed through a series of drills and exercises, including a provincial nuclear emergency exercise every three years.
Next month, the company will host Huron Unity, which includes internal and external stakeholder participation to test Bruce Power’s response to the Provincial Nuclear Emergency Response Plan.
These large-scale exercises see about 2,000 people engaged and over 40 federal, provincial and municipal agencies participating allow Bruce Power to practice interoperability with its key stakeholders, including local police and fire organizations, regulators, and many others.
Whether at home or on site, Bruce Power is committed to keeping people safe, informed, and prepared.
