Coaldale and District Emergency Services holds Open House Oct. 3

Posted on October 1, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

The Coaldale and District Emergency Services are kicking off Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10) with an Open House, sharing important information about fire prevention and fire safety.  

The fun, family-friendly event takes place Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Coaldale Fire Hall located at at 1507 20 Ave., and will help celebrate Fire Prevention Week, which runs Oct. 4-10.    

“It’s a chance for residents to visit the fire hall, meet our members, see the apparatus and take part in a few simple, family-friendly fire safety activities,” said Cpt. Steve Yanke, Fire Prevention Officer with Coaldale and District Emergency Services. 

This year, the event includes four short, interactive stations around Fire Prevention Week’s theme – Charge Into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower! – that revolves are safe charging and safe lithium-ion battery use. At each station, kids can collect a stamp to complete the Fire Safety Challenge and earn a Kona Ice coupon.

While the Coaldale and District Emergency Services  has participated in Fire Prevention Week outreach for a number of years, this is the first year they are holding an Open House on the weekend before Fire Prevention Week, to help kick things off. 

“In previous years, we’ve typically held (an Open House) during the week. Moving it to Saturday is something we wanted to try to make the event more accessible for working families,” said Yanke, noting the Open House is well attended by families each year. “We continue to build on the event by making it more interactive and family-focused.”   

This year’s activity stations will cover the topics of safe chargers, safe charging locations, battery warning signs and keeping exits clear. 

“Families can also take home fire-prevention information and speak directly with our members about any fire-safety questions they may have,” said Yanke.   

Yanke pointed out the need to highlight safe charging habits – the focus of this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, stating that “lithium-ion batteries are now part of everyday life” and power everything from phones, laptops, power tools, toys, e-bikes and scooters.

With an increase in use, fire departments are seeing the consequences when batteries are damaged, improperly charged or disposed of incorrectly. 

“Calgary reported more than $32 million in estimated fire-related property losses from lithium-ion battery fires in 2025, with 88 per cent of its estimated battery-fire losses since 2015 occurring in that year alone,” said Yanke. “That’s why this year’s theme is timely. These batteries store a significant amount of energy in a small space and when one fails, a fire can develop very quickly,” he added, noting the need for people to understand a few safe habits including using the proper charger, charge on a hard, flat surface, stop using batteries that become hot, swollen or damaged, and keeping larger devices away from exits. 

“We want families to recognize the warning signs and know how to reduce the risk in their own home,” said Yanke.