Since 1922, National Fire Prevention Week has been observed during the Sunday through Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls. This year’s theme, “LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. – Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” enforces the message that not all fires occur in the home and that we should be prepared at all times in the event of an incident anywhere we may be.

Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends looking for places where fire can start, listen for the sound of the smoke alarm and learn two ways out of each room. Information on these and other fire prevention topics is available at www.firepreventionweek.org.

The Dubuque Fire Department has partnered with American Red Cross of the Tri-States to give Dubuque residents the opportunity to sign up to receive free smoke alarms and installation by Dubuque firefighters. Red Cross volunteers will install alarms for non-residents. To request this service, call 563-589-4195 (Dubuque residents) or 563-563-9119 (non-residents), or visit www.getasmokealarm.org.

The fire department promotes fire safety and prevention year-round through educational programs at schools, businesses, senior centers, and more. In observance of National Fire Prevention Week, the Dubuque Fire Department will hold open houses on Sunday, Oct. 7, from 1-3 p.m. at each of the six Dubuque fire stations:

  • Fire Headquarters: 11 W. Ninth St.
  • Station #2: 2180 JFK Rd.
  • Station #3: 3155 Central Ave.
  • Station #4: 1697 University Ave.
  • Station #5: 689 S. Grandview Ave.
  • Station #6: 1500 Rhomberg Ave.

During the open houses, Sparky the Fire Dog will be at Fire Headquarters. Children will have the chance to put out a simulated house fire using a fire hose at Station #4 and Station #5, and adults will have the chance to use a fire extinguisher to put out a simulated fire with a digital training prop at Fire Headquarters. At the open houses, children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade that reside in Dubuque city limits and attend a school in the city of Dubuque can register to win a ride to school in a fire engine.

For more information about fire prevention, visit the National Fire Protection Association web site at www.nfpa.org or contact the City of Dubuque Fire Department at www.cityofdubuque.org/fire or 563-589-4160.

More From WDBQ-FM