ST. PAUL – A child weaved through a mini-fire course, before carrying a five-foot-tall teddy bear on his back and rushing to the other corner of St. Paul Fire Department’s open garage.
The course was among the activities children participated in during the fire department’s open house on Sept. 28. The day gave people a taste of what it would be like to work as a firefighter, along with offering some fire safety tips.
Children also had the chance to use a fire hose and knock down targets with water, while waiting for their turn to ride fire trucks.
Firefighters showcased their skills with a mock vehicle rescue, and held demonstrations, which included reminding others about the dangers of using water on grease fires.
The fire department held the open house in anticipation of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 6 to 12.
Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you
This year’s fire prevention week theme is “Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you.”
“Smoke alarms save lives, but only when they are properly installed and maintained,” says Deputy Chief Henry Thomson.
He offered a reminder of some key tips to ensure smoke alarms are working. This includes testing the alarms once a month, changing the batteries twice a year, and replacing smoke alarms every 10 years.
It’s also important to install smoke alarms in every bedroom and other areas of the home, like the basement and hallways.
