Katy residents got a crash course in lithium-ion battery safety Aug. 7 when HCESD 48 Captain Ja Nae Breda walked a crowd through the warning signs of a failing battery, safe charging habits and where to recycle old devices locally.
The free event at Katy Vibes, 24757 Katy Freeway, paired the safety presentation with music bingo, karaoke and trivia hosted by Norris Thompson. Organizers called the format "edutainment," blending entertainment with practical fire-safety education in a relaxed setting rather than a classroom.
What fire officials told residents
Breda's presentation quickly turned into a back-and-forth Q&A, The Katy News reported. Attendees asked about three main topics: how to spot a battery going bad, how to charge and store devices safely, and where to drop off old batteries in the Katy area.
Natasha Matulis, a fire and life safety educator with HCESD 48's Community Risk Reduction Division, supported the presentation and spoke one-on-one with guests. Lia Hales of Fort Bend County ESD No. 2's Community Risk Reduction team also attended, giving residents access to representatives from both emergency service districts.
Here's what fire safety authorities recommend:
Warning signs a battery is failing: Unusual odor, excessive heat, popping sounds, swelling or a change in color. Stop using the device immediately.
According to the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, once smoke or hissing starts, residents may have less than one minute to escape a lithium-ion battery fire. The fires release toxic gases and can reignite after appearing to be out.
Safe charging: The National Fire Protection Association recommends using only the charger that came with the device, stopping the charge once the battery is full, and never charging overnight or unattended. The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office adds that batteries should be kept away from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight and anything flammable. Larger devices like e-bikes should be charged outside the home and never near an exit.
Recycling: Lithium-ion batteries should never go in household trash or curbside recycling bins. They can ignite during transport or at recycling facilities. The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office directs residents to earth911.com to find local drop-off sites, and the Battery Network's locator lists more than 20,000 locations nationwide, including Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy and Staples.
Who organized it
Katy Vibes owner Moh Syed hosted the event as part of what he described as a "community first" vision for the venue. It was the first of what organizers hope will become a series of edutainment initiatives at Katy Vibes, though no future dates have been announced.
HCESD 48 serves roughly 130,000 to 150,000 residents across about 45 square miles of western Harris County, including the greater Katy community. The district responded to more than 15,000 fire and EMS incidents in 2024.
Residents interested in HCESD 48's other free programs, including home safety surveys, car seat checks and CPR training, can email [email protected] or visit hcesd48.org.
