Annual event set from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Fire Station No. 5 on North Beneva Road
Families are invited to participate in the annual Fire Prevention Week Open House, sponsored by Sarasota County Emergency Services, on Saturday, Oct. 8, the county has announced.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station No. 5, located at 400 N. Beneva Road, a news release says. Admission and refreshments will be free.
This year’s theme, Don’t Wait — Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years, “represents the culmination of a three-year effort to educate the public about basic but essential elements of smoke alarm safety,” the release explains. According to the National Fire Protection Association, one-quarter of home fire deaths are caused by fires that start in bedrooms. Another quarter result from fires in living rooms, family rooms or dens, the release notes. Three out of five home fire deaths occur in dwellings with no smoke alarms or alarms that do not work, the release points out.
“Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan,” says Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier in the release. “When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Smoke alarms give early warning so you can get outside quickly.”
Regnier also advises, “Make sure your family has an escape plan with two ways out.”
County firefighters hope that Fire Prevention Week activities will help prevent fire deaths and injuries, the release says.
This year’s event will include live fire demonstrations, face painting, games, a World Trade Center artifact, fire trucks and rescue units, and 9-1-1’s Red E. Fox and Terry Telephone, the release notes.
For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net.