Tillsonburg firefighters turn safety lessons into a community experience
There’s a good chance you’ve got several lithium-ion batteries charging somewhere in your house right now.
Your phone. Your watch. Your laptop. Maybe a tablet, power tool, e-bike or scooter.
That’s why this year’s Fire Prevention Week is focusing on something most of us do every day without giving it much thought: charging those devices safely. The Tillsonburg Fire Department is taking part in Fire Prevention Week, which runs through Saturday, with this year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.”
Fire Prevention Officer Sarah Barclay says rechargeable batteries have become a big part of everyday life.
The department's advice is pretty simple: use the charger that came with your device, or one approved by the manufacturer, and charge it on a hard, flat surface rather than a bed or couch. And pay attention if a device gets unusually hot, starts to swell, gives off a strange smell or begins smoking. Those can be warning signs that something is wrong with the battery.
Fire Prevention Week also gives the community a chance to meet the people behind the department, and Thursday night’s Open House is about as hands-on as it gets. There’ll be firefighters and fire trucks on display, live demonstrations, the department’s special operations team, an OPP crash rollover simulator—and you can even try your hand at spraying a fire hose. There’ll also be face painting, a barbecue and some Tim Hortons goodies while supplies last.
Sarah Barclay says there’s plenty to see.
The Tillsonburg Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Week Open House is Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the fire hall on Concession Street East.
And, if you’ve ever wanted to spray a fire hose without having to wait for an actual emergency, this seems like a pretty good opportunity.
