Five area fire companies and departments will bring live demonstrations, safety displays and free giveaways to Colonial Elementary School in Plymouth Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, as part of Fire Prevention Week.

Spring Mill and Barren Hill fire companies from Whitemarsh Township are joining Harmonville and Plymouth fire companies from Plymouth Township and the Conshohocken Fire Department for the event. It runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at 230 Flourtown Road, according to a Montgomery County fire companies announcement published by Glenside Local.

Families in the area can also head to Centre Square Fire Company in Blue Bell on Friday, Oct. 2, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. That event, at 1298 Skippack Pike, will feature interactive stations, a meet-and-greet with local first responders, free giveaways and food. The Oct. 2 event falls two days before Fire Prevention Week officially begins.

Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 4 through Oct. 10. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which has sponsored the week for more than 100 years, is backing this year's theme alongside the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

The campaign is called "Charge into Fire Safety. Safe Charging is a Superpower." It focuses on lithium-ion batteries found in phones, laptops, e-bikes, scooters and power tools. Those batteries can overheat and ignite when damaged or charged incorrectly. The campaign's tagline is "Plug in, Power up, Stay safe."

"We charge our devices every day, but doing it safely is how we protect our homes," Chris Schwarts, president of the Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association, said in the announcement.

The NFPA recommends charging devices on hard, flat surfaces with the charger supplied by the manufacturer. Users should stop using any device that becomes unusually hot, swells, emits smoke or develops an unusual odor. Larger battery-powered equipment like e-bikes and scooters should charge away from exits.

Both local events are free and open to families. The announcement directs residents to an online listing for additional Fire Prevention Week events across Montgomery County. Montgomery County fire companies are also recruiting volunteers with no experience required.