MCLB Albany Fire & Emergency Services is spreading the word about safe fire practices ahead of National Fire Prevention Week that’s nearly two weeks away. The National Fire Protection Association announced this year’s theme: “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.” NFPA aims to raise awareness and works to educate people about three essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire and how to escape safely in the event of one.

1. LOOK for possible hazards.

2. LISTEN for your home smoke alarms. You may only have minutes to get out if a fire breaks out.

3. LEARN two ways out of each room of your home. Exits should be easy to access and free of clutter. After leaving the home, go to your family’s designated meeting spot, established when you set up a home fire escape plan.

National Fire Prevention Week has been observed annually since 1925 after President Calvin Coolidge signed the proclamation. It is observed every year, during the second week of October in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire which burned from Oct. 8 to Oct. 10, 1871.  According to NFPA, the Great Chicago Fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, burned more than 2,000 acres, and destroyed more than 17,400 structures.

MCLB Fire & Emergency Services will have static displays throughout the installation during the week of October 7 through 13 to help educate and answer questions. The department will be hosting a special open house on Saturday, October 13, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fire Station 2, Building 10050. There will be a Fire Safety House set up to teach children essential life-saving lessons, a bouncy house, and Sparky the Fire Dog will be there.