The Flower Mound Fire Department is urging residents to rethink how they charge e-bikes, scooters and phones as lithium-ion battery fires rise across the country.

The department's guidance, published on the town's website for Fire Prevention Week, covers three areas: buy certified, charge smart and recycle responsibly. Fire Prevention Week runs Monday, Oct. 5, through Sunday, Oct. 11.

The NFPA built this year's campaign around the same hazard for the second year in a row. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) titled the effort "Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home." The NFPA does not yet track national data on home fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, but fire departments across the country have reported a growing number of incidents, according to Highland Village's Fire Prevention Week page.

The Flower Mound department's first tip: look for a UL, ETL or CSA certification mark before buying any product powered by a lithium-ion battery. That mark means the product has been tested against established safety standards.

For charging, the department advises using only the cord that came with the device or one approved by the manufacturer. Residents should charge on a hard, flat surface and unplug when the battery is full.

Larger devices need extra caution. E-bikes, scooters and power tools should be charged outside and away from exits, the Flower Mound Bee reported, because their higher-capacity batteries can produce far more intense fires if something goes wrong.

Highland Village issued the same advice for its residents.

Warning signs that a battery is failing include excessive heat, swelling, smoke or an unusual smell. The department says to stop using the device immediately if any of those appear.

When a lithium-ion battery reaches the end of its life, it should not go in the trash or a regular recycling bin. Either can start a fire. The town directs residents to Call2Recycle.org to find a dedicated drop-off location.

"Everyday devices and activities can spark a fire if not used properly, and safe charging habits and practices can help protect lives, property and the natural resources we all enjoy," Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service fire chief, said in an Oct. 2 statement promoting the same campaign statewide.

The NFPA also reminds homeowners that a working smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a home fire in half. The association recommends alarms in every bedroom and on every level of the home, tested monthly.

Flower Mound's full Fire Prevention Week guidance is available on the town's website.