A charging phone or scooter battery may not seem like a fire risk, but this year’s fire department open house in Lombard puts those everyday devices in the spotlight.

DATE: Wednesday, Oct 7

Time: 6 to 8 pm

Location: Fire Station 45, 50 E St Charles Rd, Lombard

The free event takes place during Fire Prevention Week 2026, which runs Oct. 4 through 10.

Families can meet firefighters and paramedics, look inside emergency vehicles and watch demonstrations of the equipment crews use to serve Lombard.

It is a chance for children to see the people behind the uniforms and for adults to ask practical questions about keeping their homes safe.

This year, the conversation centers on lithium-ion battery safety.

Rechargeable batteries power phones, laptops, toys, tools, e-bikes and scooters, making charging habits a concern in many households.

A damaged battery or one charged improperly can overheat and start a fire.

Fire officials recommend using the charger supplied with a device or one approved by its manufacturer.

They also urge residents to charge devices on a hard, flat surface rather than a bed, couch or spot beneath a pillow, where heat can build up.

If a battery swells, smokes, smells unusual or becomes excessively hot, stop using the device.

Unplugging devices when charging is complete is another simple precaution.

For e-bikes, scooters and power tools, where charging happens matters too: Keep them away from exits and escape routes.

That advice has particular weight when a device is charging overnight and a household may need to leave quickly.

At the open house, residents can connect those tips with the work Lombard crews do when emergencies occur.

The goal is prevention, not alarm, and a few minutes spent learning safer habits could make a difference at home.