The following information is provided by the Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners, in conjunction with Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr, Fire Prevention Specialist Sima Clapman, and the members of the Lakewood Fire Department.
In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, The Lakewood Fire Department is hosting Fire Prevention Day on Monday, October 13, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free event will be held in the parking lot at BlueClaws, ShoreTown Ballpark, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, NJ 08701. There will be interactive Fire demonstrations, Apparatus demonstrations, and Gift Bags with Fire Safety information.
The history of Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, but lasted 27 hours and incurred the most damage the following day. It remains one of the best-known fire disasters in the world. As a result, October 9, 1871, is the date most often connected with this tragic conflagration. In the end, the Great Chicago Fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2000 acres. While the origin of the fire has never been determined, there has been much speculation over how it began. One popular legend was that Mrs. Catherine O’Leary was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lamp, setting O’Leary’s barn on fire and starting the spectacular blaze. It is a less well-known fact that on the same day of the Great Chicago Fire, the Peshtigo Fire roared through Northern Wisconsin, killing 1,152 people, and burning more than a million acres.
On the Great Chicago Fire’s 40th anniversary, the former Fire Marshals Association of North America (now the International Fire Marshals Association, or IFMA) sponsored the first National Fire Prevention Day, advocating an annual observance as a way to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, National Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday-through-Saturday period in which October 9th falls. In addition, the President of the United States has signed a proclamation pronouncing a national observance during that week every year since 1925 making Fire Prevention Week the oldest safety commemoration.
Dedicated to raising public awareness about the dangers of fire and how to prevent it, the National Fire Prevention Association, or NFPA is the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week.
The Lakewood Fire Department is excited to announce this year’s theme:
“Charge Up Fire Safety™: Fire Safety and Lithium-Ion Batteries.”
Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we use every day – from phones and laptops to e-bikes, scooters, and power tools. While these batteries provide convenience, they can also pose serious fire risks if not used, charged, or disposed of properly. This year’s campaign educates the public on safe charging practices, recognizing warning signs of battery failure, and steps to take if a battery overheats or catches fire.
Safety Tips for Lithium-Ion Batteries
The Lakewood Fire Department and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend the following precautions:
- Only use devices and batteries that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage.
- Use only the charger that comes with the device.
- Stop using batteries that show signs of swelling, overheating, or leaking.
- Store batteries at room temperature and away from flammable materials.
“Lithium-ion batteries power so much of our daily lives, but it’s essential to use them safely,” said Fire Prevention Specialist Sima Clapman. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme – Charge Up Fire Safety – reminds everyone to charge smart and stay safe.”
This year’s focus on lithium-ion battery safety is critical as these batteries become increasingly common in homes and workplaces. Proper handling and charging can dramatically reduce the risk of dangerous fires.
To learn more about Fire Prevention Week 2025 and lithium-ion battery safety, visit www.fpw.org. Additional Fire Prevention Week resources for children, caregivers, and educators can be found at www.sparky.org and www.sparkyschoolhouse.org. Additional Fire Safety Information for parents, children and educators can be found by clicking here.