Encinitas Fire Department open house at Station 5

Kicking off Fire Prevention Week, the Encinitas Fire Department is hosting an open house event at Station 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 8.

This year’s theme is “Don’t wait — check the date! Replace smoke alarms every 10 years” which focuses on the importance of smoke alarm maintenance. According to the National Fire Prevention Association website, “three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.”

At the open house, people of all ages can try on firefighter gear, get a free plastic fire hat, enjoy firefighter-led tours of Station 5 and paramedic-led tours of an ambulance as well as static displays of an ambulance, tiller (ladder) truck and brush rig. Fire Department staff will be on hand to chat and more information will be available at a number of booths, including the Burn Institute and the Encinitas Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

There will be face-painting and balloon- animal activities for children.

For more information, send an email to astratakis@encinitasca.gov.

— Submitted press release