The Lewiston Fire Department will hold an open house Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Central Station.

LEWISTON – The Lewiston Fire Department is reaching out to residents with a Fire Prevention Week Campaign designed to save lives and prevent injuries by teaching information about having smoke alarms and fire escape drills.

Fire Prevention Week (www.firepreventionweek.org) will take place Oct. 5 to 11. It is the basis for public fire safety awareness activities in fire departments and elementary schools across North America.

The 2003 Fire Prevention Week theme, “When Fire Strikes: Get Out! Stay Out!,” is a lifesaving reminder to leave right away when a smoke alarm sounds and to stay out until firefighters say it is safe to go back inside.

As part of the campaign, the Lewiston Fire Department will have an open house on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Central Fire Station, corner of College, Bates and Oak streets.

“During Fire Prevention Week, we will be concentrating our efforts on making sure Lewiston residents understand that they need working smoke alarms on every level of their home, and they should plan ahead of time how they would get out if fire strikes and practice that plan regularly,” said Battalion Chief George Merrill of the Lewiston Fire Department.

Merrill said, “Having early warning of a fire and following a well-practiced escape plan to get out quickly – and stay out – can make the difference in surviving a fire.”

To reach residents with the messages, the Lewiston Fire Department is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association, the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 80 years. According to the association, half of all fatal home fires occur in the small number of homes that have no smoke alarms.

Judy Comoletti, association assistant vice president for public education, said many people over estimate the amount of time they may have to get out of a fire. “A fire can become deadly in only moments, making every second count. That’s why we’re working with groups like the Lewiston Fire Department to raise awareness of the importance of installing smoke alarms and planning and practicing fire drills.”

The Lewiston Fire Department advocates the following:

• Install working smoke alarms on each level of the home and test them monthly to ensure they are working; replace batteries at least annually

• Develop a thorough fire escape plan and practice it by holding fire drills twice a year; make sure residents know two ways out of every room

• Teach household residents that once they are out, they must stay out until firefighters say it is safe to go back inside; get out first, then call the fire department.