Discover, learn and celebrate at our Fire Prevention Week kickoff!

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services (RHFES) along with Sparky the Fire Dog invite you to a free event kicking off Fire Prevention Week (October 5-11).

            What:             Open House and Fire Prevention Week Kickoff

            When:            Saturday, October 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

            Where:           Fire Station 8-1, 191 Major Mackenzie Drive West

Families can enjoy child-friendly games, demonstrations such as auto extrication and a fire truck simulator, plus displays from community partners and more.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” aims to educate everyone about the importance of buying, charging and recycling lithium-ion batteries safely. According to the National Fire Protection Association® (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.

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 batteries at proper recycling facilities—never in household trash 

For more information on RHFES Fire Prevention Week activities and the Open House, visit RichmondHill.ca/FirePreventionWeek or follow RHFES on Facebook , X or Instagram.