An aftermarket battery charger caused a garage fire in Sandy, and the Sandy Fire Department wants residents to pay attention to what they plug in.

The department, led by Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie, said the blaze started when a non-manufacturer-approved charger overheated, ABC4 reported Tuesday. The department did not release the address, the date of the fire or whether anyone was injured. It also did not say what type of device the charger was meant for.

Wrong chargers are dangerous. Using one that doesn't match the manufacturer's specifications can cause overheating, battery failure and fire, the department said.

The department urged residents to use only chargers and batteries approved by the device manufacturer and listed four prevention steps:

• Use the charger recommended by the manufacturer.
• Never use damaged or modified batteries or chargers.
• Follow the manufacturer's charging and storage instructions.
• Never leave batteries charging unattended or near combustible materials.

The American Red Cross offered additional guidance for lithium-ion batteries. The organization said residents should use the charging cord that came with the device, avoid charging on flammable surfaces such as couches or under pillows, and unplug batteries once fully charged.

The Red Cross also recommended keeping anything that could catch fire at least three feet from heat sources like space heaters or stoves.

The National Fire Protection Association's Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 4–10. The 2026 theme is "Safe Charging Is a Superpower," focused on safe charging, storage and use of devices powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Sandy residents who suspect a charger or battery is damaged should stop using it and contact the manufacturer, according to the fire department's advisory.