Noah Johnson Daily Press Escanaba public safety officers show a student and a teacher some equipment from the truck.

ESCANABA – The Escanaba Department of Public Safety spent October educating the community and school children about fire safety during Fire Awareness and Prevention Month.

The department visited several schools throughout the month, culminating in a visit to the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD) Learning Center in Escanaba.

“Today, it’s more of a public relations event. (We) go out and show the kids the fire trucks, the police car and the canine officer,” Escanaba Public Safety Officer Ryan Peterson said.

The classes went out in groups and were able to talk with Peterson and Officer Aaron Young about the equipment and how it works.

“They’re having fun. Everyone, all these kids, get excited when they see the truck and the dog. They really have fun and it means a lot. I love seeing the smiles on their faces more than anything,” Peterson said.

Students lit up when they saw the truck and Young and Peterson, some even running up to the two for a hug.

Young showed the students different pieces of equipment on the truck, such as the water pump, the large fan used to help put out fires and more.

Peterson explained the different levers on the truck and walked them around the vehicle.

Young also brought in Escanaba Public Safety’s newest member, K-9 Enzo. Enzo and Young demonstrated some basic commands before allowing the students to pet him.

Code enforcement is offering free smoke alarms as part of fire awareness month. Fire and Rental Inspector Jude VanDamme said they will continue to give them out after October as long as supplies are available.

“We have them available to the community and we’d like to see them in everyone’s home,” he said.

“It’s an inexpensive device that can save lives.”

Contact Code Enforcement at 906-786-6121 to schedule an appointment for a smoke alarm while supplies last.

Public Safety pointed to SafeHome.org for fire safety tips.

According to the website, common causes of residential fires are clothes dryers, smoking, flammable liquids, portable heaters, cooking, fireplaces and more.

The good news is that there are preventative measures, such as installing a smoke detector.

Residents are encouraged to install detectors throughout the home, in each sleeping area and outside each sleeping area. Detectors should be tested once a month to ensure they are working. The batteries should be replaced once a year and the detector should be replaced every 10 years.

SafeHome also recommends installing fire extinguishers, teaching children about fire danger, creating an evacuation plan, and developing a family or household communication plan.

The entire guide can be found at www.safehome.org/resources/fire-prevention-guide.