Centre Square Fire Company is holding its free, family-friendly Fire Expo on Friday, October 3. The event will run from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the fire company, located at 1298 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held on October 4.

“The expo is entering its thirty-third year,” said firefighter John Posen. “No matter how many years have passed, the Fire Expo is a great way to get the community together, have the kids meet the firefighters and educate them on fire prevention in a fun and memorable way.”

During the event, the community can meet Centre Square’s firefighters and watch fire prevention demonstrations, including vehicle rescues and scuba divers. Kids can try hands-on activities, including extinguishing a fire, using the “Jaws of Life”, and spraying hoses. Plus, enjoy refreshments and giveaways.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”

“Most people have more lithium-ion batteries in their homes than they think. From phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronics, lithium-ion batteries are being used daily,” said firefighter Matt Kozeniewski. “Lithium-ion battery fires also burn hotter and are harder to extinguish than most fires.”

Centre Square Fire Company encourages all residents to learn how to properly use lithium-ion batteries 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, such as Underwriters Laboratories, 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; take them to a safe battery recycling location.

Lithium-ion batteries are popular and widely used, but they come with risks. When used unsafely, they can cause fires, which have been more common in recent years.

To help answer the call, Centre Square Fire Company is always seeking more volunteers to join the team in the following roles: firefighters, fire police, junior firefighters, and administrative members. No prior experience is required to join. The community can learn about volunteer opportunities at the Fire Expo or on their recruitment website www.CentreSquareFire.org.

Other upcoming events at Centre Square Fire Company include a Vendor & Craft Market on November 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a Comedy Show on November 8 at 8 p.m. For tickets or information on the comedy show, email comedy@csfc33.com.