Carol Stream Fire District to host Fire Safety Open House Oct. 5

Fire Prevention Week marks the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of Oct. 8-9, 1871.

This historic blaze raged for days and killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 people homeless, and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings.

Each October, the Carol Stream Fire District and departments nationwide promote fire prevention campaigns to educate adults and children.

In conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, the Carol Stream Fire District will hold its annual "Fire Safety Open House" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the district's headquarters station 28, 365 Kuhn Road.

This event provides the opportunity to visit Carol Stream's largest fire station and allows both children and adults an opportunity to learn the importance of fire safety through many special and fun events.

The main event this year will be a rappelling and rescue event where firefighters will descend approximately 100 feet in the air via a rope and rescue a victim.

The popular "Kids Firefighter Challenge," where kids go through a firefighter obstacle course, is back, along with the "Fear of Gear" station.

This activity station allows adults and kids the experience of wearing firefighter gear including air packs to get a better understanding of the physical stress a firefighter goes through when suited up for an alarm.

Kids will learn to "stop, drop, and roll" if their clothes catch fire and will understand the dangers of matches and lighters during the "Sparky Puppet Singalong."

Adults will learn how to use a fire extinguisher at the "Fire-Extinguisher Simulator" while kids can squirt water out of a hose using the "Flame Tamer Game." Fire trucks and ambulances will be available for close inspection at the "Touch-a-Truck" station with firefighters on hand to answer any questions.

With "Sparky" shaking hands and plenty of hot dogs, popcorn, and beverages to go around, this should prove to be an exciting and educational day full of fun for the entire family. This is a free event.

If you have any questions, call Firefighter Greg Schwarze, public education coordinator, at (630) 668-4836.