Alpena Township Fire Department conducts open house for Fire Prevention Week
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ALPENA TOWNSHIP -- Inflatable slides, open apparatus bays, and a food trailer filled the Alpena Township Fire Department's southside station on Saturday for the department's annual Fire Prevention Open House.
The Oct. 3 event fell on the eve of Fire Prevention Week, observed nationwide from Oct. 4 to Oct. 10. This year's National Fire Protection Association theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower," centered on lithium-ion batteries in phones, tools, toys, e-bikes, and scooters.
Fire Chief Tim Baker told The News ahead of the open house that families could expect a station walk-through, apparatus tours, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for children. He said charging safety would be front and center, including examples of safe and unsafe battery setups and tips on overloaded outlets, damaged chargers, and devices left charging overnight.
Firefighters also planned to cover smoke alarms, home escape routes, cooking safety, and space heaters, which Baker said remain leading causes of preventable home fires. He urged families to leave with one task: check that smoke alarms are in the right places and that every device works.
Visitors could sign up for a home safety visit or request a presentation for a school or community group. Township crews install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at no charge for residents who call a station. Last year's open house drew about 80 people, Baker said.
Residents who missed Saturday can find the same material on the department's website and social media or pick up printed handouts at the station.
Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.