Abington Township Fire Companies to Host October Fire Prevention Week Open Houses

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA…. See the firetrucks and live demonstrations, enjoy fun activities and tasty snacks, and learn some safety tips to protect yourself and your family at an Abington Township Fire Department (ATFD) 2015 Fire Prevention Week open house. This year’s National Fire Prevention Week theme, Hear the Beep Where You Sleep, reminds everyone that every bedroom needs a life-saving smoke alarm.

ATFD’s five volunteer fire companies – Abington, McKinley, Roslyn, Weldon, and Edge Hill – will provide families with much more information and demonstrations on fire safety and prevention, as well as an opportunity to have a lot of fun. Everyone is invited to tour the stations, see the fire trucks, meet our volunteers, enjoy some snacks, and learn important information that will help keep families safe.

“These fun evening events offer something for everyone,” said Gerry Gerhard, Weldon Fire Company Safety Officer. “They also provide essential fire safety information that can save homes and even lives.”

All open house events are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The dates and locations are as follows:

• Abington Fire Company, 1920 Horace Ave, Abington, Monday, Oct. 5.
• McKinley Fire Company, 893 Jenkintown Road, Elkins Park, Tuesday, Oct. 6.
• Roslyn Fire Company, 1128 Bradfield Rd, Abington, Wednesday, Oct. 7.
• Weldon Fire Company, 412 N. Easton Road, Glenside, Thursday, Oct. 8.
• Edge Hill Fire Company, 2843 Limekiln Pike, North Hills, Friday, Oct. 9

Remember: According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of all U.S. home fire deaths occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when people are most likely to be sleeping. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a fire in half. Be sure you have the right number and proper placement of these inexpensive, life saving devices! Any questions? Ask at an open house event, or call the ATFD at 267-536-1055.

Have you ever thought about volunteering with your community fire department? There’s an important place for you in the ATFD. To learn about the many ways you can get involved, talk to firefighters at an open house or visit our website, www.abingtonfd.org.

Smoke Alarm Safety Tips from the National Fire Protection Association

• Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

More fire safety tips, a safety quiz and fun activities for children are available here: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week