Latest news with #Davine
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fire officials urges proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries after recycling truck fire in Sunderland
SUNDERLAND, Mass. (WWLP) – Massachusetts fire officials are reminding residents of ways to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries after a recycling truck fire in Sunderland. Last month, crews were called to a recycling truck fire on River Road in Sunderland. The Department of Fire Services said that the truck was collecting curbside recycling when the driver noticed the fire in the back of the truck. The driver called 911 and found a safe area to dump the burning contents, which is per their protocol. Jupiter Power lithium battery project in Westfield canceled over eco concerns The Sunderland Fire Department, with the help of the Sunderland Highway Department, was able to put the fire out and spread the recycling apart to be sure it was completely out. The cause, determined by the Department of Fire Services, was from lithium-ion batteries that were placed in a household's recycling bin. When it was collected by the truck, it was compacted, causing an uncontrolled increase in temperature inside the battery known as thermal runaway, resulting in a fire that spread quickly. Lithium-ion batteries can be found in many household items such as cell phones, laptops and tablets, watches, e-bikes, vape devices, electric vehicles, power tools, and many children's toys. Sunderland Chief Benjamin and State Fire Marshal Davine are reminding residents that these batteries should not be placed in the trash or household recycling. To properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries, they can be brought to a household hazardous waste collection site or a battery recycling center such as Staples, Home Depot, and Lowe's. To find a location near you, visit Lithium-Ion-BatteriesDownload WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dangerous TikTok trend sparks fires in laptops — and Mass. teens are trying it at school
More than a dozen teenagers in Massachusetts have tried a dangerous TikTok trend, prompting a warning from fire officials. The TikTok trend has teenagers inserting a paper clip, pencil lead, or other conductive object into a laptop computer's charging port or other port. This can cause a short circuit that increases the device's temperature or causes smoke, sparks, or a fire, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon Davine warned. At least 14 teenagers have attempted the trend in the past week but fire officials believe the number is higher. 'No matter how smart your kids or students might be, please impress upon them that the only thing you should place in a computer port is the appropriate cord,' said Davine. Most of the reported incidents were interrupted by teachers who spotted the abuse of school-issued laptops, fire officials said. The incidents occurred in Barnstable County, Essex County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Middlesex County, and Worcester County beginning on or about May 6. So far, only one minor injury has been reported but heavy smoke and device damage have been reported in some cases, officials said. 'Unfortunately, social media trends involving risky fire-related behavior are not new,' a press release stated. 'In 2020, numerous electrical fires and damage were reported after another challenge promoted dropping a coin onto the prongs of a power plug partially inserted into a wall outlet.' Lucky for Life winner: $25,000 a year for life prize won in Massachusetts University system of Northeast state recommends closing a third of its campuses It was labeled and looked like Adderall. But thousands of pills were meth and caffeine Superior Court judge denies city's request to dismiss portion of police officers wage theft lawsuit 32-year-old Sandwich man seriously injured in motorcycle crash Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Social media challenge involving laptop fires sparks warnings after incidents reported in Mass.
A social media challenge involving laptop fires has sparked concern among fire officials, who are urging parents and teachers to warn children about the serious dangers of tampering with the devices. Fourteen incidents and attempts have been reported in Massachusetts, but several more incidents have likely gone unreported, state Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in a statement on Thursday. 'We've received more than a dozen reports from Massachusetts fire departments of young people engaging in this behavior in less than a week,' said Davine. Since around May 6, incidents have been reported in Barnstable, Essex, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcester counties. So far, only one minor injury has been reported, Davine said. Heavy smoke and device damage have been reported in other cases. Most of the reported incidents were interrupted by teachers who spotted the abuse of school-issued laptops, Davine said. Davine said the trend, which appears to have started on TikTok, promotes inserting a paper clip, pencil lead, or other conductive object into a laptop computer's charging port or other port. This can cause a short circuit that increases the device's temperature or causes smoke, sparks, or a fire – any of which could injure a young user, he said. 'There are probably many more that responsible adults haven't heard of or officially reported,' Davine said. 'No matter how smart your kids or students might be, please impress upon them that the only thing you should place in a computer port is the appropriate cord.' Davine said he has circulated a notice about the nationwide trend to local fire chiefs. Foxboro Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, called the challenge 'dangerous' as laptops are typically powered by lithium-ion batteries. 'Today's electronic devices pack a lot of power into small containers, and tampering with them is dangerous,' Kelleher said. 'Almost all modern laptops are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can erupt in sparks and flames when damaged or abused. An event like that will injure anyone close by. The fire can easily spread to clothing, bedding, upholstery, and furniture.' Fire officials said unfortunately, social media trends involving risky fire-related behavior are not new. In 2020, numerous electrical fires and damage were reported after another challenge promoted dropping a coin onto the prongs of a power plug partially inserted into a wall outlet, Davine said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Metro
15-05-2025
- Metro
Students busted for TikTok 'Chromebook Challenge' to insert objects in laptops
Students across the US are partaking in a viral TikTok trend that involves inserting foreign objects into Chromebook laptops, leading to fires and arrests. The growing 'Chromebook Challenge' entails putting a paper clip, pencil lead or other object into the charging or USB port of a laptop often issued from a school, and forcing it to short circuit. In some instances, the devices have heated up, started smoking and caught on fire. The phenomenon can be triggered when lithium-ion batteries are tampered with and experience thermal runway, which can cause them to emit toxic fumes, explode or become damaged. Last week, a 13-year-old California girl was arrested for arson in connection with a laptop getting on fire. Most of the reports of dangerous instances arising from the challenge have come from teachers. Numerous warnings have been issued as the trend spreads among the youth in America. There have been at least 15 incidents of students intentionally inserting objects into Chromebooks within the Exeter Region Cooperative School District in New Hampshire. 'This is not only a matter of property damage – these actions present a serious toxic smoke and fire hazard, both at school and at home,' stated the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham. 'Please discuss this issue with your students and reinforce the seriousness of tampering with any school-issued technology.' More Trending The middle school has informed students that any damages to Chromebooks done on purpose will incur replacement fines of up to $320. In Massachusetts schools, there were 14 incidents tied to the challenge reported in less than a week. State Fire Marshal Jon Davine believes the challenge has been done more times than the number recorded. 'So far, only one minor injury has been reported but heavy smoke and device damage have been reported in some cases,' stated Davine. 'No matter how smart your kids or students might be, please impress upon them that the only thing you should place in a computer port is the appropriate cord.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Urgent recall of soups, rice and porridge mixes over 'life-threatening' risk in US MORE: Ukrainian man charged with arson over fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer MORE: History of Air Force One as Trump eyes accepting $400,000,000 Qatari plane
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Fire officials urge safe disposal of smoking materials
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – State fire Marshall Jon Davine is strongly urging residents to properly dispose of smoking materials after a deadly fire killed two people in Chicopee over the weekend. Davine tells 22News that smoking is the number one cause of deadly fires across the nation, killing more than a dozen people in Massachusetts last year. He says residents need to avoid smoking when drowsy, while in bed—or where someone is using home oxygen can easily combust. He urges residents to use a heavy ashtray on a sturdy surface filled with water or sand so the cigarette can be put out properly. Never toss it into the trash, or into your yard–where mulch is highly flammable. 'The number one thing folks can do is have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their home—that is the number one thing. That will give you that early warning that if something is happening and you can get out safely,' Davine says. According to Chicopee fire officials, no working smoke alarms were found in the home Sunday. Davine says that working smoke alarms were found at less than half of deadly fires last year. The two people who died were in their late 60's and living in the home. Their names will not be released. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
