Lombard firefighters will open the doors of Fire Station 45 on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for a free evening with truck tours, equipment demos and safety tips focused on lithium-ion battery fires.
The annual Open House runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the station, 50 E. St. Charles Road, according to an announcement from the Village of Lombard. Families can meet firefighters and paramedics, climb aboard fire and EMS vehicles and watch live demonstrations of the tools crews use on calls.
The event falls during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4–10, a national campaign sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to reduce the risk of home fires through education. This year's NFPA theme, Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower, zeroes in on the everyday charging habits that can prevent lithium-ion battery fires.
Those batteries power phones, tablets, laptops, toys, e-bikes, scooters and power tools. When damaged or charged improperly, they can overheat and ignite.
The department shared five battery safety tips in its announcement:
- Use only the cord and charger that came with the device or one approved by the manufacturer.
- Charge on a hard, flat surface like a table. Avoid beds, couches and pillows, which trap heat.
- Stop using a device if the battery gets unusually hot, swells, smokes or gives off a strange odor.
- Unplug devices when charging is complete.
- Charge e-bikes, scooters and power tools away from exits and escape routes.
The safety guidance comes as the Lombard Fire Department continues to field a heavy call load. The department responded to more than 8,200 calls in 2025, including more than 6,200 emergency medical runs, the Village of Lombard said in a May 2026 post on its official X account.
Residents with questions about the Open House can contact Fire Marshal and Bureau Chief Perry Johnson at (630) 620-5750 or [email protected]. More information on Fire Prevention Week and battery safety is available at fpw.org.
The Open House is free. No registration is required.
