Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 9-15; Open Houses Scheduled at Dubuque Fire Stations Oct 9th

Since 1922, National Fire Prevention Week has been observed during the Sunday through Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls. This year’s theme, “Don’t Wait—Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years,” emphasizes the importance of replacing smokes alarms every 10 years.

According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in home fires in half. The NFPA National Fire Alarm Code ® requires smoke alarms be replaced at least every 10 years, but because the public is generally unaware of this requirement, many homes have smoke alarms past their expiration date, putting people at increased risk in the event of a home fire. To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm.

The Dubuque Fire Department has partnered with American Red Cross of the Tri-States to give Dubuque residents the opportunity to sign up to receive free smoke alarms and installation by Dubuque firefighters. Red Cross volunteers will install alarms for non-residents. To request this service, call 563-589-4195 (Dubuque residents) or 563-564-4564 (non-residents), or visit www.getasmokealarm.org.

The Dubuque Fire Department will hold open houses on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 1-3 p.m. at each of the six Dubuque fire stations:

  • Fire Headquarters: 11 W. Ninth St.
  • Station #2: 2180 JFK Rd.
  • Station #3: 3155 Central Ave.
  • Station #4: 1697 University Ave.
  • Station #5: 689 S. Grandview Ave.
  • Station #6: 1500 Rhomberg Ave.

During the open houses, Sparky the Fire Dog will be at Fire Headquarters and Station #4. Children will have the chance to put out a simulated house fire using a fire hose at Station #4 and Station #5, and adults will have the chance to use a fire extinguisher to put out a simulated fire with a digital training prop at Fire Headquarters. At the open houses, children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade that reside in Dubuque city limits and attend a school in the city of Dubuque can register to win a ride to school in a fire engine.

For more information about smoke alarms and fire prevention, visit the National Fire Protection Association web site at www.nfpa.org or contact the City of Dubuque Fire Department at www.cityofdubuque.org/fire or 563-589-4160.

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