Each year, North Metro Fire Rescue District kicks off the month of October with special events centered around Fire Prevention Week in coordination with the National Fire Protection Association. 

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere™.” Today’s home fires burn faster than ever. In a typical home fire, a family may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. North Metro Fire wants to educate its residents on the importance of practicing evacuation drills as a family and knowing two ways out of any given area of the home.

North Metro Fire will host three events during the week of Oct. 6-13. Each event is free and open to all families.

Oct. 6 – Fire Safety Open House

North Metro Fire Station 63
10941 Irma Dr., Northglenn
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The fire district will have its inflatable safety house set up for kids to learn about fire hazards in the home and practice crawling under smoke and evacuating outside. They will also get to practice with firefighters calling 911 and relaying their address and emergency. As part of the event, North Metro Fire invites residents to tour the upgraded station and enjoy food and treats provided by the fire district. The District will also be distributing smoke alarms provide by Kidde to anyone needing one for their home.

Oct. 9 – Story Time with North Metro Fire

Mamie Doud Eisenhower Library
3 Community Park Road, Broomfield
10-11:30 a.m. (Two 45-minute sessions)

Bring your kids for a special story time with North Metro Fire and our fire safety friend Dusty the puppet.

Oct. 13 – Fire Safety Event at Flatiron Crossing Mall

Flatiron Crossing Mall
1 W Flatiron Crossing Dr, Broomfield
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

North Metro Fire is partnering with FlatIron Crossing Mall to host another fire safety event to close out Fire Prevention Week. Children will get to tour the inflatable safety house and practice calling 911 with firefighters. The event will take place at the feature court outside of Helzberg Diamonds.

Safety Tips to Remember

Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire. North Metro Fire encourages families to plan and practice their home fire escape plan each year. Our fire prevention educators are available to work with families on their plans at our Fire Prevention Week events and throughout the year. Consider the following tips on how to make your home escape plan:

• Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Download an example exit plan to draw on.
• Visit each room and find two ways out.
• All windows and doors should open easily, and you should see if you are able to use them to get outside.
• Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Push the test button to make sure each alarm is working. 
• Replace any smoke or carbon monoxide alarms that are outdated. CO alarms typically expire after 5-7 years, and smoke alarms expire within 10 years. Check the manufacturer's instructions and date on your alarm to find out when it expires.
• Pick a meeting place outside in front of your home. In the result of an evacuation, everyone should plan on gathering in the meeting place.
• Talk about your plan with everyone in your home.
• Make sure your house number can be seen from the street.
• Practice your home fire escape drill twice a year!
• Teach your kids to dial 911 in case of an emergency, but emphasize that they should get out of the house first before calling 911, if there's a fire. 
• Set up a surprise alarm once your kids are asleep to test their reaction to the alarm and to see if they respond by evacuating. 
• Use a play phone and have younger children practice calling 911 and telling you what the emergency is and what their address is.