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When Batteries Bite Back

If your home is full of modern tech, this is one of those stories worth a quick pause.

A recent house fire in Dade City was caused by malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries stored in a garage, according to Pasco County Fire Rescue. No injuries were reported, but it’s a clear reminder that the batteries powering our everyday lives can also cause serious problems when conditions aren’t right. Somewhere, Elon probably sighed.

Officials have not said which specific device sparked the fire. As a Tesla owner, anything involving lithium-ion batteries immediately gets my attention. But this isn’t just about electric vehicles. These batteries are everywhere. Phones, laptops, tablets, power tools, electric bikes, scooters, backup battery packs, and plenty of devices quietly charging in garages throughout Wesley Chapel all rely on the same technology.

Most of the time, lithium-ion batteries are perfectly safe. Problems tend to show up when batteries are damaged, overheated, charged incorrectly, or stored in tight spaces near flammable materials. In fast-growing areas like Wesley Chapel, where garages often double as storage units, workshops, and charging stations, clutter can become more than just an inconvenience. It can turn into a risk. And on that note, we do know a girl. Square One Garage Solutions.

Fire officials recommend a few simple habits that can make a real difference. Use manufacturer-approved chargers. Unplug devices once they’re fully charged. Avoid charging batteries in cramped or cluttered spaces. Replace any battery that looks swollen or feels unusually hot. If a battery starts acting strange, it’s not being dramatic. It’s giving you a warning.

The good news is that fires like this are often preventable. A few small changes in how and where devices are charged can help keep Wesley Chapel homes safer. With enough to keep an eye on already, battery safety is one thing we can stay ahead of.

What’s Up This Week

The Real What’s Up

AMVETS

AMVETS is a national organization dedicated to supporting veterans, active military, and their families. They help veterans access earned benefits, navigate life after service, and build strong community connections. From advocacy to hands-on support, AMVETS is committed to serving those who served.

Walmart Says Game On, Amazon

If Amazon can do it in Ruskin, then Walmart can do it in Wesley Chapel. Walmart is getting ready to take delivery to the skies, and Wesley Chapel is expected to be part of that rollout very soon.

Walmart recently announced plans to significantly expand its drone delivery program through a partnership with Wing, adding another 150 stores across the country. The goal is fast, on-demand delivery for everyday items, with orders arriving in minutes instead of hours.

In Florida, Walmart has already begun expanding drone delivery in other markets, and the Wesley Chapel store is expected to launch the service in the near future. If it sounds familiar, it should. Amazon has already tested drone delivery just down the road in Ruskin, proving the technology can work locally.

Once live, customers within range of the Wesley Chapel Walmart will be able to choose drone delivery for smaller items like groceries, household essentials, and convenience purchases. Orders are flown directly from the store and gently lowered into customers’ yards.

This won’t replace traditional delivery or in-store shopping, but it does signal where things are heading. Faster, more convenient options, and fewer last-minute trips to the store.

If drones start buzzing overhead, now you know why.

Foodies Only

Your Restaurant Could Be Here

Get your restaurant, food truck, bakery, or café in front of thousands of local food lovers every week. This is where Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Odessa, and Zephyrhills go to discover their next favorite bite.

Make sure they discover you. Advertise with us and turn hungry readers into hungry customers walking through your door.

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We Know a Guy…or Girl

What’s Up Working

Looking for a painter? A plumber? Or a hero willing to wrestle with that lightbulb hanging 30 feet in the air? You’re in the right place.

Want your business to be one of the go-tos?

Email us at: [email protected] to get on the list.

That’s it for this week.

Thanks for reading. Keep showing up for each other, supporting your neighbors, and building the kind of community we’re all proud to call home.

The Folks Behind The Curtain

P.S.

You see something, say something. Any information the community needs to know? Email us @ [email protected]