HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – The Harrisonburg Fire Department (HFD) is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to celebrate the 102nd anniversary of Fire Prevention Week – and there are plenty of ways for community members to take part.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week, from Oct. 6 to 12, focuses on the theme of “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you.” Events will focus on the need to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.

Smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half, according to NFPA, while roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

“Smoke alarms are the first line of defense in a fire and give residents the crucial time to get up and out of the home quickly,” HFD Public Education Officer Lt. Erin Stehle said. “Fire is hotter and moves faster than ever before, so we need to be prepared with working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan.”

HFD offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:

  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
  • Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
  • Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

HFD is hosting/participating in a series of events throughout October in recognition of Fire Prevention Week. Those include:

  • Oct. 12 – Sensory Friendly Boo Bash at HFD Station 1, 80 Maryland Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Oct. 12 – Lowe’s Fire Safety Day at Lowe’s, 201 Linda Lane, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Oct. 15 – Car seat check at the front entrance of Sentara RMH, 2010 Health Campus Dr., from 3 to 6 p.m.
  • Oct. 16 – Sweet Sounds of Fire Safety at Kline’s Ice Cream, 58 E. Wolfe St., from 4 to 6 p.m. (kids 12 and under get a free cup/cone)
  • Oct. 19 – Skeleton Fest in Downtown Harrisonburg from 2 to 5 p.m.
  • Oct. 24 – College Fire Safety at JMU’s East Campus Dining Hall
  • Oct. 25 – VMRC Fall Festival at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, 1491 Virginia Ave., from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Trunk or Treat at Kroger Shopping Center, 1790 E. Market St., from 4 to 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 26 – Halloween Event at Rockingham Crossroads Park, 1 Rockingham Park Way, from 4 to 8 p.m.
  • Oct. 29 – Trunk or Treat at McNulty Center, 463 E. Washington St., from 4 to 7 p.m.

Contact HFD at 540-432-7703 to find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities or if you and your family or group would like to schedule a visit. Visit www.fpw.org and www.sparky.org for more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general.