Families gathered at the Alpena Township Fire Department’s southside station Saturday, Oct. 3, for an annual Fire Prevention Open House featuring open apparatus bays, inflatable slides and a food trailer. The event came one day before Fire Prevention Week began nationwide.
Battery safety was a central focus
This year’s National Fire Protection Association theme was “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower,” highlighting lithium-ion batteries used in phones, tools, toys, e-bikes and scooters.
Fire Chief Tim Baker said the open house included a station walk-through, apparatus tours, demonstrations and hands-on activities for children. Visitors could see examples of safe and unsafe battery setups and learn about the risks of overloaded outlets, damaged chargers and leaving devices plugged in overnight.
Fire prevention information for families
Firefighters also covered smoke alarms, home escape routes, cooking safety and space heaters. Baker said space heaters and other topics discussed remain leading causes of preventable home fires.
He urged families to leave with one practical assignment: check whether smoke alarms are installed in the right places and make sure every device works. Residents could also sign up for a home safety visit or request a presentation for a school or community group.
Township crews install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at no charge for residents who call a station. Residents who missed the event can review the same material on the department’s website and social media or pick up printed handouts at the station.
Last year’s open house attracted about 80 people, according to Baker. The annual event combines family activities with guidance intended to help Alpena Township residents identify and address common fire hazards at home.