RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond Fire Department is gearing up to observe one of the nation's oldest public health observances, National Fire Prevention Week. From Oct. 4 to Oct.10, the Richmond Fire Department will join the observation of National Fire Prevention Week to make fire safety a pri ority at home and in the community. During the week, the department will be out in the community with events and educational activities for residents of all ages. According to a press release from the city, many house fires are preventable and within the past two years, Richmond has had seven fire-related deaths. "We grieve every life lost to fires in our city, and we owe it to them to do everything we can to prevent the next one," said Richmond Fire Chief Jeffery Segal. Segal continued by stating that fire prevention is an everyday practice, from testing smoke alarms or making sure residents know how to safely heat their homes. "Our job is to be out in the community, educating our residents and making sure they have the resources they need to protect themselves and their families," Segal said. The theme for this year's Fire Prevention Week is "Charge into Safety," which focuses on everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. Some safety practices include the following: Using the appropriate cord and charger that came with the device or one approved by that manufacturer Always charge devices on a hard, flat surface Unplug devices once they are fully charged Charge large items such as e-bikes, scooters and power tools outside when possible and make sure not to block exits while charging Stop using devices that do the following: devices that are very hot, start to swell, smell strange, leak smoke or make a popping sound To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and safety tips, click here. ...read more read less