The township fire department will host a fire prevention expo on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at Memorial Park.
“It’s a great day for community members to engage with the Deptford fire department,” said volunteer Fire Chief Rick Thomas of the free, family-friendly event. “They can learn more about fire safety, meet their local firefighters, try on gear and enjoy light refreshments.”
This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in
Your Home.” The campaign runs from Sunday to Saturday, Oct. 11, and focuses on educating residents to safely handle lithium-ion batteries.
“Daily-use devices such as phones, tablets and laptops rely on lithium-ion batteries,” said fire department chair Michael White. “While these are effective power sources, the risk of them overheating, catching fire or exploding increases when they are damaged, improperly used, charged or stored.”
The fire department encourages residents to share and learn with the following tips and guidelines:
● Buy only listed products: When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, take time to research it. Look for a stamp from a nationally recognized testing lab on the packaging and product, which means that it meets established safety standards.
● Charge devices safely: Always use the cables that come with the product to charge it.
● Charge your device on a hard surface: Don’t charge it under a pillow, on a bed, or on a couch, as this could cause a fire.
● Dispose of and recycle batteries responsibly: Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins, but take them to a safe battery-recycling location.
The fire department always seeks volunteers; to learn more, visit www.deptfordfd.org
