Fire Prevention Week is October 5 - 11, 2025

Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign:

🔋 “Lithium-Ion Battery Safety: Fire Prevention Starts with You”

This year’s theme focuses on the growing use of lithium-ion batteries in everyday devices—from smartphones and laptops to e-bikes and power tools—and the fire risks they can pose when not handled properly. The campaign aims focuses around three key messages, aimed at educating everyone about how to buy, charge, store, and dispose of lithium-ion batteries safely:

• Buy only listed products. 
• Charge devices safely.    
• Dispose of batteries responsibly. 

According to NFPA, fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are increasing, often due to improper charging, damage, or disposal. These fires can be fast and intense, leaving little time to react. That’s why it’s critical to understand how to use these batteries safely and plan ahead in case of emergency.

Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services offers these key battery safety tips and guidelines:

• Only use batteries and chargers that are certified by a recognized testing laboratory.
• Always use the cords that came with the product to charge. 
• Follow the charging instructions from the manufacturer.
• Charge devices on hard, flat surfaces away from flammable materials.
• Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.
• Never charge batteries overnight or leave them unattended.
• Stop using batteries that show signs of damage, overheating, or leaking.
• Dispose of lithium-ion batteries at proper recycling facilities—never in household trash because they could start a fire. Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit call2recycle.org or Richmond Hill's household battery recycling section to find a recycling spot near you. 

Fire Prevention Week Activities

We have lots planned for Fire Prevention Week - stay tuned for updates! 

Saturday, October 4, 2025 - Open House

Join us Saturday, October 4th for our annual Open House! Fire Station 8-1, 191 Major Mackenzie Drive West 9 am - 4 pm At the Open House, you can learn simple but critical steps you can take to make sure you are using lithium-ion batteries safely, while having fun with child-friendly games and activities, live demonstrations (including auto rescue demonstrations and a fire truck simulator), and more!

Monday, October 6, 2025 - Elgin West Community Centre

Join us for Fire Prevention Week! This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” - come learn how to use these everyday batteries safely, explore helpful resources, and enjoy fun giveaways while boosting your fire safety know-how. Elgin West Community Centre 11099 Bathurst Street 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - Oak Ridges Library

Join us for Fire Prevention Week! This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” - come learn how to use these everyday batteries safely, explore helpful resources, and enjoy fun giveaways while boosting your fire safety know-how. Oak Ridges Library 34 Regatta Avenue 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - Central Library

Join us for Fire Prevention Week! This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” - come learn how to use these everyday batteries safely, explore helpful resources, and enjoy fun giveaways while boosting your fire safety know-how. Central Library 1 Atkinson Street 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Thursday, October 9, 2025 - Oak Ridges Community Centre

Join us for Fire Prevention Week! This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” - come learn how to use these everyday batteries safely, explore helpful resources, and enjoy fun giveaways while boosting your fire safety know-how. Oak Ridges Community Centre 12895 Bayview Avenue 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Friday, October 10, 2025 - Richmond Hill Rampage

RHFES is teaming up with the Richmond Hill Rampage for their upcoming home game!  Join us for a night of community spirit and fire safety as we share Fire Prevention Week resources, hand out fun giveaways, and take part in the ceremonial puck drop. It’s a great chance to cheer on the Rampage and learn how to “Charge into Fire Safety” with RHFES!   Puck drops at 8:30 pm. For ticket information visit Richmond Hill Rampage.

Saturday, October 11, 2025 - Home Depot

Join us for Fire Prevention Week! This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” - come learn how to use these everyday batteries safely, explore helpful resources, and enjoy fun giveaways while boosting your fire safety know-how. Home Depot 50 Red Maple Road 10:00am - 3:00pm

Digital Backpack

Check out some of the fun and exciting activities and colouring sheets our friends from National Fire Protection Association have created for Fire Prevention Week!

Family Fire Safety Activity

Sparky's BEEP Activity

Sparky's Colouring Sheet

Adult Colouring Sheet

Sparky's Fire Safety Maze

Hot or Not Sorting

Hidden Picture Activity

Smoke Alarm Safety Calendar

If you live in an apartment or building that has many levels, it’s super important to have a fire escape plan so you know how to get out quickly if a fire starts. Check out this Fire Safety in the City family kit to learn more about being prepared, and planning your escape.

For more activities from NFPA, please visit their Fire Prevention Week page or Sparky The Fire Dog's website.

The History of Fire Prevention Week

Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

Home Escape Planning

Want to know more about how to plan your escape? Visit our Home Escape Planning page.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Have questions about smoke and/or smoke alarms? Check out our smoke alarm and carbon monoxide pages.

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