GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - October 7 through October 13 is known as 'Fire Prevention Week' put on by the National Fire Prevention Agency. The theme this year is testing your smoke alarms, but a local emphasis is placed on properly handling batteries and battery-containing devices. Lieutenant Shauna Walesh, Green Bay Metro Fire Department's Public Information Officer and Life Safety Educator, says that the department responds to a wide variety of battery-related fires each year. That includes batteries being overcharged as well as a battery or cord being used after being damaged. The potential risk of these batteries stretches beyond the household, as down the line if these batteries are placed in curbside recycling, they can cause issues at the recycling or transfer facility. Resource Recovery Technician Chris Blan explains what batteries are at the highest risk. Sustainably Speaking: Sabee Culinary Services elevates its cooking with fresh, locally sourced foods "Any battery can cause an issue", explains Blan. "However the larger the battery, the more frequent they are an issue and those batteries are rechargeable batteries, most importantly lithium batteries and the lithium batteries are the batteries that hold a high charge." Blan goes on to say that this is a newer problem for the public but has been a known issue in the waste industry for several years. Within the last year and a half, three Wisconsin-based recycling facilities sustained damage due to battery-caused fires at the facility. It is important to keep this in mind when disposing of batteries, as a fire at a local recycling facility could slow down the recycling process and negatively impact the environment. "If there's no place to bring the trash and the recycling, they can not pick it up from your home. so proper disposal of these items not only helps the waste industry, it helps protect the public and it helps provide the maintain services that the public enjoys," explains Blan. Sustainably Speaking: Door County Land Trust continues to preserve the landscape Blan suggests storing batteries in a cool dry place, avoiding battery terminals touching them, preventing charging when no one is home or overnight, and stopping charging once the device is a full battery. Another issue is using the incorrect charger for the device, Blan says that using the wrong charger can damage and or shorten the life of the battery. Lieutenant Walesh offers these important reminders as well. "Not installing them in direct sunlight, keeping them away from areas where they may fall or where kids or animals may have access. Try to keep them out of areas where it can get dusty. try to take good care of them and keep them longer lasting." To help combat this issue, Brown County Port and Resource Recovery Department launched a free, takeback program for Brown County residents in August of 2023 called 'Batteries Now Included'. Blan reported that since the launch of this new program, they have seen a thirty percent increase in the amount of batteries disposed at the facility and a three-fold uptick in the amount of battery-containing devices dropped off at the facility.