It's fire hall open house time again

Even with unseasonably cool temperatures expected Thursday, the Brainerd Fire Department's annual open house is once again expected to be a good draw.

The event, from 5-8 p.m. at the fire hall, 23 Laurel St., usually draws hundreds of area residents. Brainerd Fire Chief Fred Underhill is hoping for the same turnout this year despite a weather forecast with high temps of about 46 degrees.

On the plus side, it's expected to be a partly sunny day.

"Even when it's cold and rainy we've had them here," Underhill said.

This year's theme is "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned." There will be learning stations and displays for everyone, including firefighting technique demonstrations, local law enforcement, North Ambulance, DNR, Firepup and McGruff. Various community businesses will display ways to make the community a safer place to live.

The fire department offered steps for home fire escape basic planning:

• Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and have one inside each bedroom and outside of each sleeping area. For the best protection, interconnect alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

• Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside.

• Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly.

• Practice using the plan, at least twice a year. If everyone knows that everyone else is ready to exit quickly, no one will lose precious time trying to help someone who doesn't need help.

• Know some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of the smoke alarm. They may need help to wake up.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.