“Charge Into Safety”: Fire Prevention Week Kickoff Set for Oct. 5 in Front Royal

Fire Prevention Week is almost here, and the Warren County Fire and Rescue team is inviting families to a hands-on kickoff on Sunday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Front Royal Fire Department Company 1 at 221 N. Commerce Avenue. The free event includes kid-friendly activities, fire and life safety materials, a live fire demonstration, and food.

Lieutenant Lisa Wilbanks says this year’s national theme is all about a new everyday hazard: rechargeable batteries. “Fire Prevention Week… has a theme every year, and this year it is ‘Charge into Safety—lithium-ion batteries in your home,’” Wilbanks said. “They’re in everything… your phones, your power tools, your vacuum cleaner, scooters, your cars.”

Wilbanks shared three simple battery rules. First, buy only listed products. Look for safety marks, such as UL or ETL. Second, charge devices the right way. “Use only the charger that comes with your product,” she said. Don’t speed-charge a device that isn’t made for it.  Unplug at 100%, and never charge on a bed, couch, or under a pillow. Third, recycle batteries properly. “You don’t want to throw them into your regular trash,” Wilbanks said. She recommends checking Call2Recycle.org for drop-off locations.

Lithium batteries also need gentle handling. If a scooter or similar device takes a hard hit, the battery can be damaged. That’s a risk for overheating or fire later. If a device gets hot, swells, or smells odd, stop using it and follow the maker’s safety instructions.

The kickoff will also put a spotlight on smoke alarms—your fastest warning when seconds count. “All smoke alarms have a 10-year shelf life, even the hardwired ones,” Wilbanks said. Warren County’s Operation Fire Safe can inspect your existing alarms and, if they’re outdated, “provide and install 10-year battery alarms for you for free.” The department can also supply bed-shaker alarms for residents who are deaf or have hearing loss. “We do offer those as well,” she said.

Why the urgency? Home fires burn faster than they did in the past. “Thirty years ago, you had approximately 15 minutes to escape your home,” Wilbanks said. “Now… you have two minutes.” Lightweight building materials and synthetic furnishings give off more heat and smoke much sooner, so early warning and a clear exit plan are critical.

Families who attend on October 5 can help kids draw a home escape map and pick a safe meeting place outdoors. “We’re going to stress the evacuation plan and a meeting place outside where everybody can meet,” Wilbanks said. The rule is simple: get out, stay out, and call 911 from outside or from a neighbor’s home. Don’t go back for pets, computers, or anything else.

Wilbanks also noted the strength of the county’s team. “We have a great group of men and women working with us,” she said. For students thinking ahead, fire and EMS offer a real career ladder. “It’s a career path… best job in the world.”

Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Company 1. Bring your questions, let the kids explore, and go home with a plan in place. Before you come, do a quick safety check: look at the date on your smoke alarms, match your chargers to your devices, move anything you charge off soft surfaces, and save Call2Recycle.org to responsibly drop off old batteries. A few small steps now can make all the difference when it matters most.