MARGATE – Families fortunate enough to have an ocean breeze that cooled temperatures about 10 degrees lower than the 100-degree weather sweltering across the Margate bridge spent the evening learning about how to protect their families against fire. They graciously refrained from complaining about the heat to the firefighter milling through the crowd in full protective gear.
Children enjoyed several exercises designed to educate them about what to do if they experience a fire in their homes. It’s always a favorite event in Margate as the little ones learned to listen for the sound of a smoke detector, “stop, drop and roll” and “crawl under the smoke.” One important lesson is to have a pre-planned evacuation route and a meeting place in the front of the house so when firefighters arrive they will know if everyone got out of the house.
Fire Chief Dan Adams shared this year’s Fire Prevention Week message, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” which the National Fire Protection Association is using to educate everyone about how to use these batteries safely. The campaign stresses how important it is to purchase, properly charge and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely.
Parents should know that lithium-ion batteries can overheat, start a fire, or explode if overcharged or damaged. A recent story published in Downbeach.com demonstrated how dangerous they can be when an improperly discarded lithium-ion battery started a fire in the back of an Atlantic County Utilities Authority trash collection vehicle putting operators and the public at risk. Fortunately, no one was injured and the fire quckly extinguished.
According to its website, the ACUA accepts lithium-ion batteries at its Household Hazardous Waste Drop-offs held throughout the year. There are also many battery drop-offs available at stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Batteries and Bulbs stores.
Learn more at https://www.acua.com/Community-Hub/News/Blog/2023/Prevent-Battery-Fires.aspx
But it wasn’t all business at the event. There was lots of fun to be had for children climbing through fire trucks and an ambulance, running through the fire hydrant sprinkler and they waited patiently for their turn operating a fire hose aimed at the little house on fire near the beach.
The playground was open and children got to enjoy some hot dogs and water ice served up by the staff at Margate Dairy Bar and Burger.
Enjoy some photos in our gallery...
The Margate City Fire Department held its annual Open House at the Library Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
