Ankeny Fire Department to Hold Open House Oct. 12

The will celebrate Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9-15 with an open house to share fire safety tips, according to a news release .

This year’s theme is “Protect your Family from Fire” and encourages families to spend time discussing how to prevent fires and what to do if a fire happens.

The Ankeny free open house will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12 at the fire department Hheadquarters, 120 N.W. Ash Drive.

Children’s activities include: practicing escape routes from the fire safety house, drawing the family escape plan, trying on firefighter gear and crawling through the firefighter search maze.

Adults can learn how to spot fire dangers, practice using a fire extinguisher, visit the fire museum and see interactive displays on all types of household dangers. 

“In 2009, 2,565 people died in home fires and nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like having working smoke alarms and a home escape plan,” said Ankeny Fire Chief Rex Mundt in the news release. “Fire is a dangerous opponent, but by anticipating the hazards, you are less likely to become a victim.”

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and find downloadable fire safety materials, go to www.firepreventionweek.org.