Havre firefighters host activities for Fire Prevention Week

This year's theme for Fire Prevention Week is Team Up for Fire Safety.

This year's campaign focuses on three safety lessons that can be learned by everyone.

Installing and testing smoke detectors Make sure you have a smoke detector on every floor of your house, including in or near every sleeping area. Mount the detector on the ceiling and change your batteries every year or when you hear the detector "chirp." Test your smoke detector once a month by pressing the test button. Remember, you can't hear smoke when you sleep, and smoke detectors save lives.

Home fire escape plans Develop and practice a home fire escape plan that everyone in the family understands. Always have two ways out of the house, agree on a meeting place once out of the house, and never go back inside the house after leaving. If you live in an apartment building, become familiar with the evacuation plan, and in case of a fire, use the stairs, never the elevator.

Hunting for home hazards. Here are some safety tips to reduce hazard in your home.

Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended.

Lit candles should be monitored constantly, and use candleholders that won't tip over easily and are made of noncombustible materials.

Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children's reach and sight.

In homes with small children, receptacle outlets should have plastic safety covers.

Every home should have a fire extinguisher and everyone should know how to use it.

Locally, the Havre Fire Department will have an open house today through Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m.

There will be daily drawings for smoke detectors, along with free fire hats, magnets, stickers and puzzles to give away to the kids, along with refreshments.

There will be free blood pressure and glucose screenings daily.

On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a free clinic to have your child's restraint seat installed correctly.

Also, as part of Fire Prevention Week, firefighter Tim Evens will be going around to area schools and doing his fire safety puppet show.

For any further information, call the Havre Fire Department at 265-6511.