Fire station to educate public on fire safety

The Round Lake Greater Fire Protection District will be holding an open house from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The open house, in honor of October being fire protection month, will take place at fire station number one at 409 Nippersink Road, just south of Cedar Lake and Route 134.

Round Lake area Fire Chief Paul Maplethorpe said the annual open house will feature activities designed to teach residents about fire safety.

"October is recognized as fire prevention month, in the United State to recognize the devastation caused by the great Chicago fire that began on Oct. 9, 1871," he said. "While firefighters stress fire prevention in October, residents should try to be fire safe every month of the year."

The annual open house will feature tours of the fire station along with equipment demonstrations that involve every member of the family.

The Children's Smoke House will be at the event to teach fire safety to adults and children.

Also, children will receive tips on how to properly dial 911 with the emergency teletrainer system.

Children also will have an opportunity to dress in real firefighter gear and have their photo taken, Maplethorpe said.

Visitors are encouraged to bring bicycles to the station for a free safety check from representatives from B&G Cycle in Round Lake Beach.

Adults can talk with fire safety inspectors to learn how to make homes safer by installing smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and with home inspection programs.

People who are interested in volunteering at the department can pick up information at the district's Citizen's Emergency Response Team booth.

There will also be baked goods for sale, with proceeds helping to cover the cost of the district's Youth Explorer Post. A free hot dog will be handed out to the first 500 visitors.

For more information, call the Round Lake Area Fire Protection District at (847) 546-6001.