An open house featuring antique fire trucks, a children’s fire academy, a children’s fire hose demonstration and the Hopewell Valley Emergency Services fire safety smoke house will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Woolsey Park, 221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road.
The Hopewell Valley Fire Safety Open House is being held in connection with Fire Prevention Week, which is Oct. 7-13.
There will be a first aid and ambulance demonstration. Bristol-Myers Squibb’s emergency services unit will present a hazardous materials demonstration, and the Trenton-Mercer Airport Fire Department will bring its airport crash rescue truck to the event.
The Hopewell Valley Fire Safety Open House is being co-sponsored by Hopewell Township Fire District No. 1, the Hopewell Valley Uniformed Firefighters Association and the International Association of Firefighters Local 3897.
Fire Prevention Week has been sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association since 1922. It is observed during the week in which Oct. 9 falls, to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire that began on Oct. 8, 1871 and that caused extensive damage, according to www.NFPA.org.
The theme of Fire Prevention Week this year is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.” The goal is to encourage people to look around for places where a fire could start, to listen for the smoke alarm and to learn two ways out of every room in case of fire.
“Look” means to look around the house to spot potential fire hazards and take steps to eliminate them.
“Listen” means listening for the smoke alarm, because occupants will have only a few minutes to escape. Residents should establish a safe place outside of the house where they can meet if they have to evacuate.
“Learn” is about establishing two ways out of every room, and making sure all doors and windows can be easily opened and are not blocked by clutter.
Children under 5 and adults over 65 are most vulnerable for injury or death in a fire, but people of all ages can become victims. The risk of a non-fatal fire injury is highest for those between 20 and 49 years old.
