[cinematic, slow-paced music plays in the background as title card appears on-screen saying “LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES DURING THE HOLIDAYS”]
[video clip of Kyle Christopher, Deputy Fire Chief speaking on camera speaking in front of fire trucks in Belleville.]
Kyle: When I first started in the fire service in 2005. This was something that we never saw.
[video clip of Kyle and colleague standing in bay, staring out into the rain, fire vehicle in the background.]
Kyle: I would say it hasn't been till the last couple of years that we've had these lithium battery fires. It just seems to be getting worse and worse now.
[video clip of major fire with lots of smoke caused by lithium-ion battery fire, on a 2nd floor unit downtown Beleville.]
Kyle: These fires, when they happen, they're very, very violent and they develop very rapidly.
[video clip of Kyle walking in slow-motion towards camera, stops and smiles.]
Kyle: My name is Kyle Christopher. I'm the Deputy Fire Chief with Belleville Fire and Emergency Services.
[video clip of small child playing with electronic toy in kitchen.]
Kyle: I actually had a toy for my daughter that I was charging. I noticed that this toy started to essentially melt.
It upset me a lot because, you know, this is something that I'm putting in my daughter's hand, and, you know, this could have harmed her.
[video clip of side of red fire truck that says ‘Belleville’ following the reflecftion of a fire fighter walking in the truck bay area.]
Kyle: So I'm very passionate about safety messaging with lithium batteries.
When you're doing your Christmas shopping this year, have a look at these products that you're buying.
[video clip of Canadian safety standard icons, UL, ETL, SA.]
Kyle: Make sure that they are approved devices by a listed testing agency before you buy them for for your family, your friends.
And you know, as another precaution, charge them when you're around.
[video clip of teenager charging his toy electric dog.]
Kyle: Maybe don't charge these devices when you're not going to be home or you're away from them. Keep an eye on them. So if something does happen, you can, you can react.
[video clip of fire fighter getting into red truck, then fire truck takes off driving away onto street.]
Kyle: It can happen to anybody and we just need to make sure that people understand the risks involved with these batteries so that they use them safely and properly.
You don't want to have a fire at your house for something that could be avoided this easily.
[Title card appears with text that says “A message from the Office of the Fire Marshal and our partners in fire safety. Underneath there are five logos belonging to: The Office of the Fire Marshal, the Ontario Association of Fire Educators, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Association, and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council.]