By Teri Banas
October 08, 2009, 4:54PM
BURTON, Michigan -- Free smoke detectors and a slew of exciting demonstrations and children’s events are coming to the Meijer’s parking lot, 2333 S. Center Road, on Saturday when Burton Fire and Rescue hosts its annual Open House.
The event runs noon to 4 p.m.
“Our whole goal is to make people aware of fire prevention and if they did have a fire what they should do,” said Burton Deputy Kenneth Gould.
The department has ordered 650 smoke detectors to give away during the program. Firefighters will install them at no cost for those city residents who need the assistance, he added.
Last year, all but 20 smoke detectors were snatched up.
Several area fire departments will participate. Shiawassee County will bring its “smoke house,” which simulates a home fire. Children will be allowed to crawl through the trailer in an exercise to find an exit. “Our goal is to teach children what to do if the situation occurs in their home, so they wouldn’t panic, and would know what to do,” Gould said.
Gould added that residents should check their smoke alarms twice a year and practice their evacuation plans annually. “Absolutely, families should have this conversation at least once a year, more often with younger children,” he said.
Other demonstrations will include how to use a fire extinguisher, rides on the Grand Blanc aerial truck, and a tour of the Genesee County hazardous materials truck.
There will be face painting, clowns, balloons and inflatables. Meijer will provide refreshments. A raffle takes place at 3 p.m. for a Nano I-Pod for kids and a Garmin GPS Navigator System for adults.
Reflective address signs will be sold for $10 and $12 with posts.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/10/burton_fire_and_rescue_to_give.html
