Grand Rapids Fire Department focuses on lithium batteries for 'Fire Prevention Week'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Potential fire hazards could be all around you, according to Captain Roy LaGrone with the Grand Rapids Fire Department.

"Typically, when they're damaged is when they create the fire," said LaGrone. "So, you want to do everything you can to handle them properly, not throw them around, to be careful with your devices."

LaGrone, who serves as Captain of Fire Prevention, is focusing on lithium batteries for Fire Prevention Week. He's teaching the community about the potential hazards they carry and how to put them out if they catch fire.

"Lithium batteries can, when compromised or damaged, overheat," said LaGrone. "They can be tough to get out, especially when you talk in car fires, because you can't get the water directly on the fire, where it's causing the heat, beca